DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:39:39 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/tech/rbi-postpones-capital-market-exposure-framework-to-july-1-667331.html New Delhi March 31 The Reserve Bank of India RBI has deferred the implementation of its revised capital market exposure framework by three months changing the effective date to July 1 2026 from the earlier April 1 deadline The decision comes after feedback from banks capital market intermediaries CMIs and industry bodies which highlighted operational and interpretational challenges in implementing the new normsThe central bank had initially issued the amendment directions on February 13 2026 following public consultationThe RBI has also issued targeted clarifications across areas such as acquisition finance loans against financial assets and credit exposure to CMIsUnder the revised framework the scope of acquisition finance has been expanded to explicitly include mergers and amalgamations removing ambiguity around their eligibility However such financing will be permitted only for acquiring control of a nonfinancial target company indicating a focus on controldriven transactions rather than minority investmentsIn cases where the target entity is a holding company banks will need to ensure that the requirement of potential synergy is met across all subsidiaries and not just at the parent levelThe new framework also allows companies to route acquisition finance through Indian or overseas subsidiariesAt the same time refinancing norms have been tightened Banks can refinance acquisition loans only after the transaction is completed and control has been established and such refinancing must be used solely to repay the original acquisition debtFurther where acquisition finance is extended to a subsidiary or a special purpose vehicle SPV a corporate guarantee from the acquiring company will be mandatory strengthening credit safeguardsFor lenders the deferment provides additional time to align systems and processes with the revised norms while clearer definitions are expected to reduce legal ambiguity and structuring risksFor acquirers the framework broadens access to acquisition finance by including mergers and subsidiaryled deals but also imposes limits by allowing funding only for controloriented acquisitions and introducing stricter conditions on refinancingFor capital market intermediaries the RBI has provided operational relief by permitting bank funding for proprietary trading against 100 per cent cash or cashequivalent collateral It has also removed restrictions on financing market makers against the same securities used for marketmaking activities IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/rbi-postpones-capital-market-exposure-framework-to-july-1-667331.html Tue, 31 Mar 2026 12:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/over-80-pc-of-south-koreas-teens-adults-concerned-over-ai-based-online-abuse-poll-667165.html Seoul March 30 More than 80 per cent of South Koreas teenagers and adults expressed concerns over online abuse involving the misuse of generative artificial intelligence AI tools such as the creation of deepfake videos and disinformation a poll showed on Monday According to the poll conducted from September to November last year on teenagers and adults by the Korea Media and Communications Commission KMCC 894 per cent of teenagers said they recognise the seriousness of AIdriven cyber violence while 876 per cent of adults said the sameThe survey was conducted on 9296 students from fourthgrade elementary school to thirdyear high school and 7521 adults aged 19 to 69Teenage respondents cited the ease of creating content with AI tools as their top concern while adults expressed fears over the potential for repeated harm from AIgenerated materialsThe poll additionally showed 423 per cent of teenagers experienced some form of cyber abuse in 2025 down 05 percentage point from a year earlier The figure for adults came to 158 per cent up 23 percentage points over the same periodBy channel teenagers said they were mainly exposed to cyber abuse via text messages and online gaming platforms while adults reported similar experiences primarily through text messages or social mediaFor both teenagers and adults strangers accounted for the largest share of abusers followed by friends Yonhap news agency reportedCyber abuse is not just an ethical issue online but an issue that can harm peoples dignity and violate the right to happiness as guaranteed by the Constitution said KMCC Chair Kim Jongcheol noting the government will make efforts to promote the healthy use of digital platformsOnline abuse is the harmful targeting of individuals or groups via digital platforms including social media messaging apps and gaming sites It includes cyberbullying doxing nonconsensual sharing of intimate images hate speech stalking and AIdriven deepfake abuse Such behaviour causes severe psychological social and economic damage IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/over-80-pc-of-south-koreas-teens-adults-concerned-over-ai-based-online-abuse-poll-667165.html Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/rupee-opens-1-pc-higher-against-us-dollar-on-rbi-measures-667175.html New Delhi March 30 The Indian rupee opened higher by 13 per cent to reach 9359 per US dollar on Monday over the Reserve Bank of Indiaâs RBI restrictions on onshore position limits The RBI has instructed banks to limit their net open positions in rupees in the foreign exchange market to 100 million in a bid to curb speculative trading to cap decline in the Indian rupeeIt ordered banks acting as authorised dealers to limit their endâofâday open positions in the onshore rupee to 100 million The central bank mandated that commercial banks must implement the daily cap by April 10 adding that the regulator may set different limits depending on evolving market conditionsEstimates suggest that the magnitude of these positions ranges from 25 billion to over 50 billionIn March the rupee fell by more than 4 per cent amid the geopolitical tensions On Friday the currency fell nearly 1 per cent to 948125 reaching 948400Analysts said concerns over elevated crude prices for a prolonged period are weighing on the currency and the broader macroeconomic outlookWith the West Asia conflict entering the fifth week there are signs of escalation including the Houthis joining the conflict and the US sending additional troops Brent crude has again surged to around 116 per barrel they saidIndiaâs earlier Goldilocks macroeconomic scenario of high growth low inflation and stable deficits has weakened due to the conflictInstead we now face prospects of lower GDP growth higher inflation wider fiscal and current account deficits and slower earnings growth in FY27 they addedThe analysts said the market has largely factored in these risks as reflected in the decline in the Niftyâs trailing pricetoearnings PE ratio to around 199 times which they described as fair but not yet cheap However they pointed out that certain segments particularly financials remain attractively valuedThey further noted that the RBIâs move to cap net open positions is likely to support the rupee in the near termUnwinding of large dollar positions could strengthen the rupee in the near term they saidSustained dollar demand and energyled inflation risks are keeping the rupee under pressure they added noting that the bias remains weak unless crude prices see a meaningful correctionMeanwhile Brent crude futures surged as much as 366 per cent to an intraday high of 11670 per barrel and were trading near their 52week high while US WTI futures stood at 10338 up 375 per cent from the previous session IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/rupee-opens-1-pc-higher-against-us-dollar-on-rbi-measures-667175.html Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/crude-oil-prices-jump-over-3-pc-nears-52-week-high-667181.html New Delhi March 30 Global oil prices surged sharply on Monday amid escalating tensions in West Asia following the entry of Yemenâs Iranbacked Houthi group into the conflict International benchmark Brent crude futures rose as much as 366 per cent to an intraday high of 11670 per barrel nearing a fresh 52week high US benchmark West Texas Intermediate WTI also climbed over 3 per cent to cross 103 per barrelThe latest spike in crude prices follows weekend missile launches by Houthi forces targeting Israel The group has warned of continued attacks until strikes on Iran and its allied militias cease adding a new layer of risk to already strained global energy marketsBrent prices have surged over 50 per cent in March and are now revisiting earlywar highs despite ongoing diplomatic effortsAnalysts said crude oil remains the most critical macro variable at this stageâMarket participants are increasingly pricing in a prolonged supply disruption scenario with some global estimates indicating a potential spike towards 200 per barrel if tensions persistâ they saidThey added that for an importdependent economy like India this poses risks of higher inflation pressure on corporate margins and a deteriorating current account outlookOn the global front equity markets were also under pressure with US and Asian stocks trading in negative territoryWall Street ended lower with the SampP 500 closing 167 per cent down while the Nasdaq declined about 2 per centIn Asia Japanâs Nikkei plunged nearly 4 per cent while Hong Kongâs Hang Seng declined over 1 per cent and South Koreaâs Kospi slipped almost 3 per centIn addition domestic equity indices Sensex and Nifty also began the session on a weak note declining over 1 per cent each in early trade as the West Asia conflict entered its fifth week and widened further IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/crude-oil-prices-jump-over-3-pc-nears-52-week-high-667181.html Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/gold-silver-prices-fall-up-to-2-pc-amid-weak-global-cues-667187.html New Delhi March 30 Gold and silver prices witnessed sharp losses on Monday tracking declines in global bullion markets amid fading hopes of a US Federal Reserve rate cut and rising inflation concerns On the Multi Commodity Exchange MCX gold contracts for June 5 delivery opened 027 per cent lower at Rs 146850 per 10 grams as against the previous close of Rs 147255 The yellow metal declined sharply during the session falling as much as Rs 3043 or 206 per cent to hit an intraday low of Rs 144212 per 10 gramsSilver futures May 5 also came under pressure declining as much as 096 per cent to Rs 225763 per kg compared to the previous close of Rs 227954In the international market gold prices fell as a surge in energy prices due to the ongoing USIran conflict heightened inflation concerns and dampened expectations of interest rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve this yearSpot gold declined 161 per cent to 442048 per ounce while spot silver dropped around 3 per cent to 6769 per ounceIn addition COMEX gold fell 169 per cent to 444750 while COMEX silver slipped nearly 3 per cent to 6772Gold prices have declined around 15 per cent so far this month marking their steepest monthly fall since October 2008 The drop has been driven by a stronger US dollar which has gained over 2 per cent since the USIsrael conflict with Iran began on February 28 Silver prices have also plunged nearly 30 per cent from their March peakAnalysts said gold continues to trade with a weak undertone despite intermittent safehaven demand arising from geopolitical tensionsThey further stated that the nearterm outlook for precious metals remains cautious with prices likely to be driven by macroeconomic cues interest rate expectations and geopolitical developments IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/gold-silver-prices-fall-up-to-2-pc-amid-weak-global-cues-667187.html Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/bangladesh-pakistan-face-big-risk-on-economic-front-due-to-iran-war-report-667215.html New Delhi March 30 The Middle East crisis poses a greater risk to Bangladesh Pakistan and Sri Lanka among the South Asian countries due to their high dependence on imported energy and limited reserve supplies according to an SampP Global Ratings report Since these countries are particularly vulnerable to rising oil prices and potential supply disruptions a prolonged price and supply shock in global energy markets could hit their sovereign credit ratings the report statesSampP Global Ratings which provides analystdriven credit ratings research and sustainable finance opinions said such insights are essential for helping market participants translate complexity into clarity and make decisions with confidencePakistan Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are showing signs of economic recovery While progress has been made sustained high energy prices and potential disruptions to trade and remittances could derail their fragile economies the report states It also points out that Laos is comparatively less exposed due to its reliance on hydropower generation and a more balanced fiscal position While still vulnerable to extended energy price and supply shocks the conditions supporting the positive outlook on its longterm ratings remain intact for nowOur ratings on Bangladesh can likely withstand the shortterm economic disruptions associated with our basecase scenario the credit rating agency saidHowever the country faces mounting risks to growth inflation and its external balance if the rise in energy prices persists longer than anticipatedHigher fuel prices are likely to stall the gradual decline in inflation over the next three to six months and could weaken the economys recovery momentum The report points out that the Bangladesh economy is almost entirely reliant on imports for crude and refined oil products Oil reserves are likely to last less than one month after which measures to curb consumption may become more stringent if imports remain constrainedNearly 50 per cent of Bangladeshs electricity generation is gasfired with almost a quarter of its gas demand met through imports which could also potentially take a hit in case of a prolonged West Asia conflictThe country is already grappling with persistently high inflation which rose to 92 per cent in February from 86 per cent in January alongside a prolonged slowdown in growth following the collapse of the previous government in mid2024Bangladeshs revenuetoGDP ratio is among the lowest of all rated sovereigns estimated at around 9 per cent for the current fiscal year ending June 2026The war also poses an unwelcome headwind to Bangladeshs improving external balance position Foreign exchange reserves rose to 296 billion as of March 12 2026 up significantly from 197 billion during the same period in 2025 the report added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/bangladesh-pakistan-face-big-risk-on-economic-front-due-to-iran-war-report-667215.html Mon, 30 Mar 2026 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/govt-clears-29-electronics-manufacturing-proposals-rs-7-104-cr-investment-to-generate-over-14-000-jobs-667217.html New Delhi March 30 The government on Monday approved 29 new applications under its electronics component manufacturing scheme aiming to boost domestic production and investment in the sector According to S Krishnan Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and IT MeitY these fresh proposals involve a cumulative investment of Rs 7104 croreHe added that the new investments are expected to generate around 14246 jobs providing a significant push to employment in the electronics manufacturing segmentKrishnan also said that the approved projects will lead to the production of electronic components worth Rs 84515 croreâThis will strengthen Indiaâs position in the global electronics supply chainâ he statedWith the latest round of approvals the total number of applications cleared under the scheme has now reached 75Meanwhile last year the top official said that Indiaâs digital economy which accounted for about 67 per cent of the countryâs GDP before 2010 and had doubled by 2014 is now expanding at twice the pace of the overall economyAddressing the Nagaland Digital Entrepreneurship and Startup Fest in December last year Krishnan highlighted the abundant talent among Naga youth particularly their creativity and English proficiency and emphasised the role of institutions like the National Institute of Electronics amp Information Technology NIELIT in nurturing this potentialâOut of 55 NIELIT centres in India 20 are located in the Northeast regionâ he mentionedâThe digital economy is expanding at twice the pace of the overall economyâ Krishnan notedSpeaking on cyber security he stressed that India cannot depend on foreign technologies in this critical areaHe described the Cyber Security Lab at NIELIT Kohima as stateoftheart and among the best in the country contributing significantly to cyber policing IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/govt-clears-29-electronics-manufacturing-proposals-rs-7-104-cr-investment-to-generate-over-14-000-jobs-667217.html Mon, 30 Mar 2026 14:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/lok-sabha-approves-insolvency-and-bankruptcy-code-667225.html New Delhi March 30 The Lok Sabha on Monday approved the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Amendment Bill aimed at speeding up insolvency proceedings to resolve cases related to defaulting companies The Bill introduces a mandatory 14day timeline for admitting insolvency applications once a companyâs default has been establishedFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the government has proposed a set of 12 amendments to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code to further strengthen the resolution ecosystemSitharman said the primary reason for IBC resolution delays is extensive litigation and the IBC Bill proposes penalties to prevent abuse of processThe Lok Sabha took up the Bill moved by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for discussion on March 27 The Bill which was initially referred to a Select Committee has been introduced to address the delays in resolving cases related to the insolvency and bankruptcy of a company or individualFM Sitharaman said in the Lower House that the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code IBC has played a key role in improving the health of the banking sector while underlining that the law was never intended to function as a debt recovery mechanismSpeaking in the Lok Sabha while piloting the Bill the finance minister said the IBC has contributed to better credit discipline and improved the credit profile of companiesThe minister said companies have been doing well and their corporate governance practices have also improved after coming out of the insolvency resolution processShe made the remarks while replying to the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Amendment Bill 2025 as reported by the Select Committee âThe Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code which came into force in 2016 has been a main factor in improving the overall health of the Indian banking sector Sitharaman said adding that the framework has also helped companies achieve better credit ratings over timeAt the same time she said the objective of the law is the resolution of stressed assets and not merely the recovery of dues âIBC is a framework for rescuing viable businesses and resolving financial stress while preserving the enterprise value IBC was never intended to be a debt recovery tool she explained IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/lok-sabha-approves-insolvency-and-bankruptcy-code-667225.html Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-sees-healthy-expansion-in-total-primary-energy-supply-renewable-resources-surge-667227.html New Delhi March 30 The Indian economy has shown a healthy expansion in the total primary energy supply TPES in FY202425 registering a growth of 295 per cent over the past year and stood at 932816 KToE kilo tonnes of oil equivalent the government said on Monday The country has a huge potential for generation of renewable energy which stands at 4704043 megawatt as on March 31 2025 In the total potential solar energy has witnessed a staggering growth from 748990 megawatt during FY202324 to 3343378 megawatt during FY202425 with highest share around 71 per cent followed by wind power 1163856 megawatt and large hydro 133410 according to the âEnergy Statistics India 2026â publication by the National Statistics Office NSOMore than 70 per cent of the total potential for generation of renewable energy is concentrated in six states â Rajasthan Maharashtra Gujarat Andhra Pradesh Karnataka and Madhya PradeshThe percapita consumption of energy over the years has gone up from 15296 mega jouleperson during FY201516 to 18096 mega Jouleperson during FY 202425 which is a CAGR of 189 per cent over the years said the reportMoreover the credit flow to the energy sector in India has also experienced a steadfast growth over the years From an amount of Rs 1688 crore during 2021 it has gone up to Rs 10325 crore during 2025 which is a growth of over six times during this periodThe gross generation of electricity from the renewable resources both Utility and NonUtility together has also increased significantly over the yearsFrom an amount of 189314 GWH of electricity generated during FY 201516 it has increased to 416823 GWH during FY 202425 which is a CAGR of 917 per cent over the yearsAmong all the major energy supply sources coal has remained the dominant source contributing the highest share to the total energy supplyEnergy supply from coal including lignite has increased from 387761 Ktoe in FY 201516 to 552315 Ktoe in FY 202425 All other sources like crude oil and natural gas etc have also registered a consistent growth over the periods The total final consumption TFC of energy into different enduse sectors has also experienced a steady rise IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-sees-healthy-expansion-in-total-primary-energy-supply-renewable-resources-surge-667227.html Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/govt-launches-leaf-to-boost-ev-charging-ecosystem-667228.html New Delhi March 30 Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy on Monday launched the Light ElectricVehicle Acceleration Forum LEAF an industryled consortium aimed at strengthening the EV charging ecosystem The forum has been set up as a neutral platform to bring together stakeholders across the light electric vehicle LEV ecosystem including original equipment manufacturers OEMs charging infrastructure operators component makers and technology providersIt will work with government and regulatory bodies as well as industry associations to support the development of EV charging infrastructure and accelerate the adoption of electric two and threewheelers in the countryIn a post on X the minister said the initiative would help accelerate the growth of light electric mobility and strengthen the EV ecosystem through improved interoperability reliability and expanded charging infrastructureHe said the move aligns with the governmentâs vision of building a selfreliant and futureready India while advancing broader goals of sustainable mobility and reducing carbon emissionsKumaraswamy also emphasised the importance of strong industrygovernment collaboration to create a sustainable accessible and globally competitive electric mobility ecosystemThe initiative aims to improve interoperability across charging networks enhance reliability and ensure a consistent user experience while expanding access to public charging infrastructureAs part of this effort initiatives such as the Light Electric Combined Charging System LECCS approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards are being developed to support both slow and fast charging through a unified connector standardThe forum has already brought together over 20 organisations from across the EV ecosystem including vehicle manufacturers charge point operators suppliers and software providers and is expected to expand its membership in the coming monthsIndustry representatives said that as EV adoption gains momentum in India addressing challenges such as fragmented charging networks and inconsistent user experience will be critical for the next phase of growthThey added that improving interoperability and building a scalable public charging ecosystem would play a key role in accelerating electric mobility in the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/govt-launches-leaf-to-boost-ev-charging-ecosystem-667228.html Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/domestic-investors-cushion-the-fall-amid-persistent-foreign-outflows-666976.html New Delhi March 29 Amid the persistent foreign outflows domestic institutional investors DIIs continue to provide strong support emerging as net buyers to the tune of Rs 26897 crore last week effectively absorbing the selling pressure from FIIs This continued domestic participation helped cushion the downside and provided stability near key support zones said analystsâForeign institutional investors FIIs remained consistent net sellers throughout the week with cumulative outflows of approximately Rs 24596 crore driven by global uncertainty rising bond yields and a stronger US dollarâ said Ponmudi R CEO Enrich Money a SEBIregistered online trading and wealthtech firmDespite DII dominance over FII outflows overall market sentiment remains weak clearly reflecting the impact of broader global and macroeconomic headwinds he mentionedAs of March 27 FIIs extended their aggressive selling in Indian equities This pushed March MTD monthtodate outflows past Rs 113 lakh crore â the sharpest singlemonth selloff in FY26 â driven by West Asia tensions and elevated oil prices âDIIs countered strongly with Rs 25000 crore of net buying weekly cushioning the fallâ said Vinit Bolinjkar Head of ResearchVenturaNearterm outlook stays cautious and âwe expect rangebound action and elevated VIX until global risk sentiment easesâ he mentioned âYet robust domestic flows and any deescalation in geopolitics should limit downside favouring quality largecaps and domestic themes over highbeta playsâ said Bolinjkar Meanwhile the Indian equity benchmarks closed lower for the fifth consecutive week amid persistent geopolitical tensions elevated crude oil prices and sustained foreign outflowsNifty dipped 128 per cent during the week and declined 209 per cent on the last trading day to settle at 22819 At close Sensex was down 1690 points or 225 per cent at 73583 It declined 127 per cent during the weekBoth indices remained volatile and under pressure throughout the week although they attempted intermittent recoveries during the week IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/domestic-investors-cushion-the-fall-amid-persistent-foreign-outflows-666976.html Sun, 29 Mar 2026 10:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/sensex-nifty-slip-in-early-trade-amid-global-sell-off-and-oil-volatility-666780.html Mumbai March 27 Domestic equity benchmarks opened sharply lower on Friday tracking weak global cues and elevated Brent crude prices amid fading hopes of a resolution to the Iran conflict Nifty opened at 2317355 down 13290 points or 057 per cent while the Sensex fell around 400 points to 7488379 in early tradeBroader markets also remained under pressure with midcap and smallcap indices traded lowerSectorally most indices traded in the red led by realty metal PSU banks and auto stocks which fell up to 1 per cent Financials and consumer durables also witnessed selling pressureHowever IT and oil and gas stocks bucked the trend and posted modest gainsAmong heavyweights stocks such as HDFC Bank and Bajaj Finance were among the top laggardsMarket sentiment remained cautious amid ongoing geopolitical tensions US President Donald Trump said the pause on attacks on Iranâs energy infrastructure would be extended though uncertainty persists after Iran termed a US proposal âonesidedâGlobal markets also reflected a riskoff mood US indices ended sharply lower with the SampP 500 down 174 per cent and Nasdaq falling 238 per cent Asian markets followed suit with Japanâs Nikkei declining over 1 per cent and South Koreaâs Kospi dropping around 3 per centCrude oil prices remained volatile although they eased slightly with Brent crude falling 229 per cent to 10553 per barrel while WTI crude declined 254 per cent to 9208According to analysts markets are likely to remain volatile amid global uncertainties Immediate support for Nifty is seen in the 23050â23000 zone while resistance is placed around 23450â23500Foreign institutional investors FIIs continued to remain net sellers while domestic institutional investors DIIs provided support to the marketNotably Indian markets resumed trading on Friday after a holiday on Thursday on account of Ram Navami IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/sensex-nifty-slip-in-early-trade-amid-global-sell-off-and-oil-volatility-666780.html Fri, 27 Mar 2026 10:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/bangladeshs-fuel-import-bill-likely-to-jump-by-40-pc-due-to-middle-east-crisis-666817.html New Delhi March 27 Bangladeshâs annual fossil fuel import bill is projected to soar by 48 billion a 40 per cent increase from 2025 levels due to the Middle East crisis according to a new analysis by Zero Carbon Analytics ZCA âThis type of crisis is repeating itself echoing the price shocks caused by Russiaâs invasion of Ukraine causing the costs of Bangladeshâs dependence on fossil fuels and its delayed energy transition to mountâ the ZCA analysts wrote in its latest reportIt noted that the RussiaUkraine conflict had sent Bangladesh into an economic crisis with GDP levels only recovering in 2025 Asian liquefied natural gas LNG rose by 390 per cent in the year leading up to Russiaâs invasion followed by a 48 per cent increase in the five months after it resulting in power demand shortfalls and months of power cuts In October 2022 blackouts left 130 million people without powerThe hefty price tag driven by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East threatens to severely drain the countryâs foreign exchange reserves reducing its import cover ratio from 57 months to 49 monthsThe crisis exposes Dhakaâs deep vulnerability to volatile international energy markets as 46 per cent of the countryâs total energy supply came from imports in 2023 In the fiscal year 20242025 imports accounted for 65 per cent of its power needsMuch of this vital fuel flows through the Strait of Hormuz where shipping is now severely disrupted Bangladesh imports around 14 million tonnes of crude oil through the strait annually under longterm contracts with Saudi Aramco and Abu Dhabi National Oil CompanyAn Aramco cargo of 100000 tonnes bound for Bangladesh is already delayed in the Gulf because of the war noted the ZCA reportSupply pressures are emerging across multiple energy sectors Confirming the squeeze on refined products the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation BPC reported in early March âAround 60000 tonnes out of the 293000 tonnes of diesel planned for import in March have been deferred or cancelledâSimultaneously Qatar which accounts for 75 per cent of Bangladeshâs LNG imports has suspended production and shipments Deep LNG dependence is driving fiscal distress across the power sectorSix out of seven LNG cargoes scheduled for April in the import plan of the stateowned Petrobangla which is mandated to manage oil gas and other mineral resources are expected to pass through the strait Delivery of half the remaining cargoes is uncertain according to reports IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/bangladeshs-fuel-import-bill-likely-to-jump-by-40-pc-due-to-middle-east-crisis-666817.html Fri, 27 Mar 2026 16:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/coal-india-to-invest-rs-3-300-crore-for-setting-up-new-coking-coal-washeries-666825.html New Delhi March 27 Coal India announced on Friday that it plans to invest around Rs 3300 crore to set up 8 new coking coal washeries as part of its strategy to improve the quality of coal and reduce the countryâs dependence on imports of highquality coking coal that is used in the production of steel The new washeries which are expected to add a combined capacity of 215 million tonnes per year MTY are scheduled to become operational by 202930 Coal India currently has a network of 10 washeries with a cumulative capacity of 1835 MTY which means the expansion will more than double the capacity in the next four yearsThe public sector mining giant also plans to invest around Rs 300 crore in the renovation and modernisation of its existing coking coal washeries to improve efficiency and utilisationOf the eight new facilities five with a total capacity of 145 MTY will be set up under Central Coalfields Limited while three with 7 MTY capacity will come up under Bharat Coking Coal LimitedCoal India is also monetising older assets in line with the National Monetisation Pipeline After monetising one coking coal washery at Bharat Coking Coal it plans to monetise three more nonoperational unitsBesides Coal India is undertaking renovation and modernisation of two ageing washeries to improve throughput recovery efficiency and process reliabilityCoal India is also collaborating with private sector major Tata Steel to leverage washing capacity and technical expertise to boost the supply of quality coking coal to the domestic steel sectorCoking coal is a key raw material in steelmaking However domestic reserves have a very high ash content which ranges from 25 per cent to 45 per cent forcing the country to take recourse to expensive imports which are also a drain on precious foreign exchangeCoal India said the combined initiatives are expected to help substitute imported coking coal reduce foreign exchange outgo and enhance industrial competitiveness IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/coal-india-to-invest-rs-3-300-crore-for-setting-up-new-coking-coal-washeries-666825.html Fri, 27 Mar 2026 16:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-to-boost-critical-mineral-exploration-push-startup-led-mining-ecosystem-dr-jitendra-singh-666705.html New Delhi March 26 India is stepping up efforts to explore critical minerals promote startups in mining and build strong domestic supply chains to reduce import dependence Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh said on Thursday Speaking at the governing body meeting of the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust NMET the minister highlighted the need to speed up exploration activities especially for important minerals like lithium which are crucial for newage technologiesâIndia is in the process of scaling up exploration of critical minerals creating a startupdriven mining ecosystem and building strong domestic value chains to reduce import dependenceâ Singh mentionedHe said that India must align its exploration efforts with global demand and its own strategic needsOngoing work in regions such as the Siwana belt in Rajasthan and the SalalâHaimna block in Jammu and Kashmir was mentioned as examples with a push to expand such efforts to more potential areasâIndia must create a conducive environment for Indian companies and startups to enter the mining and critical minerals sectorâ the minister statedReferring to the success of the biotechnology startup ecosystem he added that similar institutional support targeted incentives and handholding mechanisms can enable innovation in mining technologies and exploration methodsâBuilding capacity in private exploration agencies is essential for longterm growth of the sectorâ Dr Singh mentionedThe government is also focusing on improving project timelines by simplifying approval processes and addressing issues such as forest clearances which often delay exploration workThe minister said better coordination among different authorities will be necessary to maintain momentumâFaster approvals better procurement systems and timely preexploration clearances are necessary to maintain momentum in exploration activitiesâ the minister notedâReducing dependence on imports requires development of endtoend domestic supply chains including processing and value additionâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-to-boost-critical-mineral-exploration-push-startup-led-mining-ecosystem-dr-jitendra-singh-666705.html Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/pakistans-ai-policy-faces-slow-progress-6-months-after-launch-666727.html New Delhi March 26 Six months after Pakistan approved its National Artificial Intelligence Policy concerns are growing over slow implementation with key systems and plans still not in place a report has said When Pakistanâs federal cabinet approved the National Artificial Intelligence Policy in July last year it was seen as a major step towards building a digital futureThe policy aimed to promote responsible use of AI boost innovation and prepare the country for a global economy driven by technology and dataHowever six months later progress on the ground appears limited according to Maldives Insight reportWhile the policy outlined ambitious goals the systems needed to turn those plans into action are still unclearExperts said the delay could affect Pakistanâs ability to keep up in a fastmoving technology spaceThe policy had set big targets for 2030 including training one million AI professionals developing thousands of AIbased projects and creating locally built AI productsIt also promised scholarships and wider use of AI in sectors like healthcare education and governance But so far there is little visible progress in achieving these goalsOne of the major challenges has been the lack of coordination between the federal and provincial governmentsReports suggest that provinces have not responded to requests for input on implementing the policyThis is a concern because key sectors like education and healthcare fall under provincial control making their involvement essentialAnother delay has been in setting up the National AI Council which was supposed to guide and monitor the policyâs implementationThe council has not yet been formed and there is currently no clear system to coordinate efforts across different departments the report statedThe policy is based on six key areas including building infrastructure promoting innovation and forming global partnershipsBut apart from some awarenessrelated activities most areas have seen little movementProjects related to infrastructure sectoral use and international cooperation are still at an early stage the report mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/pakistans-ai-policy-faces-slow-progress-6-months-after-launch-666727.html Thu, 26 Mar 2026 18:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-growth-to-remain-resilient-at-71-pc-in-fy27-despite-geopolitical-tensions-sampp-global-666498.html New Delhi March 25 Indiaâs growth remains resilient at an estimated 71 per cent for FY27 even as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East pose challenges to the broader AsiaPacific region according to a report by SampP Global on Wednesday In its latest economic outlook SampP Global has highlighted that India remains among the fastestgrowing major economies supported by strong domestic demand steady exports and a gradual recovery in private investmentSampP has projected Indiaâs GDP growth at 71 per cent for next fiscal underlining sustained economic momentum despite global uncertaintiesThe report also noted that AsiaPacific growth continues to hold up with India emerging as a key driver alongside other major economiesGrowth across the region excluding China is expected to improve to 45 per cent in 2026 aided by resilient domestic activity and strong performance in technologylinked sectorsIndiaâs economic outlook is supported by healthy consumption trends and improving investment activity which are expected to offset external headwinds such as geopolitical tensions and trade uncertaintiesMeanwhile the report also pointed out that Chinaâs growth is also expected to slow down with GDP projected at 44 per cent in 2026 as weak demand a struggling property sector and external uncertainties weigh on momentumWhile higher crude oil prices remain a concern globally the agency pointed out that Indiaâs strong services exports and diversified economic base are likely to help cushion the impact on external balancesOn the policy front the Reserve Bank of India RBI is expected to maintain a stable interest rate environment adopting a balanced and neutral stance to support growth while keeping inflation in check We expect the central bank to hold rates steady and maintain a neutral stanceIn addition inflation is projected to normalise to 43 per cent in FY27 remaining within a manageable range even as global energy prices remain volatileThe report also highlighted that AsiaPacific economies including India are benefiting from strong demand for technologyrelated exports particularly in sectors linked to artificial intelligence and semiconductors which continue to drive trade momentum IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-growth-to-remain-resilient-at-71-pc-in-fy27-despite-geopolitical-tensions-sampp-global-666498.html Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/gold-silver-surge-up-to-6-pc-amid-fresh-west-asia-developments-666504.html Mumbai March 25 Gold and silver prices witnessed a strong surge on Wednesday amid easing tensions in the West Asia conflict On the Multi Commodity Exchange MCX gold futures April 2 advanced as much as Rs 5658 or about 4 per cent to an intraday high of Rs 144570 per 10 grams by 1026 am The yellow metal was later trading at Rs 144410 up Rs 5498 or 396 per centSimilarly silver futures May 5 jumped around 6 per cent or Rs 13228 hitting an intraday high of Rs 214500 per kg during the sessionIn the international market COMEX gold was trading at 463317 up 448 per cent while COMEX silver rose 75 per cent to 748According to analysts said MCX gold is hovering in the Rs 143000âRs 145000 band indicating underlying strength They see immediate resistance at Rs 148000 with potential upside towards Rs 155000âRs 157000 while support is placed at Rs 137000âRs 140000Silver too remains firm across markets MCX silver faces resistance at Rs 240000 while key support lies near Rs 227000 they saidOverall analysts maintain a cautiously positive outlook on precious metals suggesting a buyondips strategy as long as key support levels hold with geopolitical developments expected to continue driving volatilityPrecious metals have witnessed such gains as several reports claimed that the US administration has offered a 15point ceasefire plan to Iran while the US military prepared to send at least 1000 more troops to supplement some 50000 troops already in the Middle EastThe reports also said that the plan was submitted to Iran by intermediaries from Pakistan who have offered to host renewed negotiations between Washington and TehranEarlier the US President Donald Trump said Washington and Tehran had held âvery good and productive conversationsâ in recent days adding that any military action targeting Iranâs power plants and energy infrastructure would be deferred for five days pending further discussions However Iranâs parliamentary speaker MohammadBagher Ghalibaf dismissed reports of talks IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/gold-silver-surge-up-to-6-pc-amid-fresh-west-asia-developments-666504.html Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/now-swiggy-hikes-platform-fee-by-17-pc-to-rs-1758-per-order-666236.html New Delhi March 24 After Zomato food delivery platform Swiggy has raised platform fee increasing it by 17 per cent to Rs 1758 per order from Rs 1499 earlier The revised charges as per its billing on the app suggest a hike of around 17 per cent or Rs 259 including preGST just days after rival Zomato revised similar category chargesThe revised fee is now visible on the Swiggy app with the company informing users that the increase is aimed at helping it âoperate and maintain the platformâThe move came close on the heels of Zomato raising its platform fee by about 19 per cent last week translating into an additional Rs 2 per orderWith the latest revision both platforms now charge nearly similar fees of around Rs 1758 per order including GSTAccording to billing details on its app Zomatoâs preGST platform fee currently stands at Rs 1490 per order up from Rs 1250 earlier The company had initially introduced a platform fee of Rs 2 per order in August 2023 which has since been gradually increased across key marketsThe recent hikes come amid rising input and operating costs across the food delivery ecosystem including higher energy prices such as LPG and crude oil which have increased expenses for restaurants as well as delivery partnersZomato had last revised its platform fee in September 2025 after earlier increasing it to Rs 10 per order from Rs 6 during the February festive period The latest round of hikes by both companies indicates a broader trend of platforms recalibrating pricing to sustain margins in a competitive and costintensive environmentShares of Swiggy on Tuesday were trading on a flat note at Rs 27340 up 033 per cent on the BSE The stock has declined more than 10 per cent over the past one month nearly 40 per cent in six months and about 20 per cent over the past yearNotably Eternal a parent of Zomato shares had traded around 2 per cent higher following the platform fee hike announcement IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/now-swiggy-hikes-platform-fee-by-17-pc-to-rs-1758-per-order-666236.html Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/samsungs-unionised-workers-to-resume-talks-with-management-666291.html Seoul March 24 Unionised workers at Samsung said on Tuesday they have agreed to resume talks with management ahead of a planned strike in May over bonuses We had a labourmanagement meeting at 2 pm and management expressed its willingness to discuss removing the cap on performancebased bonuses and other issues a joint board of three labour unions including the National Samsung Electronics Union NSEU said in a statementAccordingly we have decided to resume negotiations it added reports Yonhap news agencyThe two sides will hold fullscale negotiations on Thursday and Friday following a workinglevel meeting on WednesdayThe announcement came a day after the joint union body held discussions with Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer CEO Jun YounghyunLast week the unions said 931 per cent of their members supported the strike plan in a vote The three unions have around 90000 membersThe unionised workers have been demanding that management remove a cap on bonuses and grant a 7 percent wage hike along with greater transparency in calculating performancebased bonusesEarlier the workers had vowed to hold a press conference near the residence of Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Jaeyong in Seoul on Monday to announce their collective action but the union later said it decided to cancel the event after the companys management suggested a meeting with JunDuring the morning meeting the coCEO acknowledged workers concerns and said the company will review the unions demands according to the unionJun who heads the crucial chip business said the company needs to consider various options for distributing bonuses among different business units adding it is open to additional talks in the near future if necessary it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/samsungs-unionised-workers-to-resume-talks-with-management-666291.html Tue, 24 Mar 2026 14:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/operant-ai-launches-ecosystem-programme-to-secure-indias-rapidly-expanding-ai-infra-666299.html New Delhi March 24 Operant AI on Tuesday announced the launch of its AI infrastructure ecosystem partnership programme aiming to strengthen security for largescale AI systems as India pushes to become a global AI hub The company said the new initiative focuses on embedding realtime security directly into the infrastructure that powers enterprise AI applicationsThe move comes at a time when the use of AI agents connected systems and largescale deployments is growing rapidly creating new security challengesMany organisations are now running advanced AI systems that can access sensitive data and external tools often without adequate safeguardsOperant AIâs platform is designed to address this gap by providing a realtime security layer that works while AI systems are actively processing dataIndiaâs AI infrastructure is expanding quickly across both government and private sectors Under the IndiaAI Mission the government has already deployed tens of thousands of GPUs with more capacity being added recently at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 Overall the country now has over 80000 GPUs in operation with major investments shaping the future of AI developmentAt the same time data centre companies such as ST Telemedia Global Data Centres CtrlS Sify Technologies Nxtra by Airtel and Princeton Digital Group are expanding their infrastructure to support AI workloadsCloud and GPU providers like Yotta Data Services NxtGen Datacenter amp Cloud Technologies and Neysa Networks are also building specialised platforms for AI computingOperant AI said its new programme will help infrastructure providers offer not just computing power but also secure environments where AI models and agents can run safelyVrajesh Bhavsar Cofounder and CEO of Operant AI said the rapid growth of AI has outpaced traditional security measures He noted that as Indian organisations adopt AI across sectors like finance healthcare and public services securing systems at the point where they operate is becoming criticalHe added that the companyâs goal is to make AI systems more trustworthy and safe to deploy ensuring that Indiaâs fastgrowing AI ecosystem remains secure as it scales IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/operant-ai-launches-ecosystem-programme-to-secure-indias-rapidly-expanding-ai-infra-666299.html Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/digital-nbfcs-sanction-nearly-10-crore-personal-loans-in-9-months-this-fiscal-report-666300.html New Delhi March 24 Digital nonâbanking finance companies NBFCs deepened formal credit access by sanctioning nearly 10 crore loans amounting Rs 153 crore in the first three quarters of FY26 representing 78 per cent of overall personal loans a report said on Tuesday The report from the Fintech Association for Consumer Empowerment FACE said 99 crore digital personal loans sanctioned during this period disbursed Rs 153260 crore the report further saidThe digital personal loans accounted for 78 per cent of volumes and 19 per cent of the sanction value of all personal loans it saidThe average sanctioned ticket size rose to Rs 15493 marking an increase of about 18 per cent over FY25Sanction value grew by 53 per cent yearonyear in Q3 FY2526 largely driven by higher ticket sizes signalling market adjustment However the average ticket size remains minuscule compared with average ticket sizes of NBFCs and banks around Rs 1 lakh and Rs 5 lakh respectivelyâThe digital personal loan market continues its steady march establishing its importance for financial inclusion and inclusive and resilient growth The trends show expanding market access as it constantly calibrates strategies to sustain the growth and improve portfolio qualityâ said Sugandh Saxena CEO of FACEBased on data from credit bureau CRIF High Mark covering more than 110 digital NBFCs the report said that outstanding digital personal loan portfolios stood at 647 crore accounts totalling Rs 139 lakh crore as of December 2025 up around 53 per cent from March 2024The portfolio quality improved with assets with Days Past Due DPD over 90 falling to 19 per cent in December 2025 from 33 per cent in March 2023Credit distribution continues to follow the usual in the FinTech zone with 60 per cent of sanctioned value going to borrowers under 35 years 18 per cent to women and 39 per cent to customers from tier 3 cities and beyond it said adding the trend showed sustained expansion of formal credit access into young and underserved segments the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/digital-nbfcs-sanction-nearly-10-crore-personal-loans-in-9-months-this-fiscal-report-666300.html Tue, 24 Mar 2026 15:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-media-and-entertainment-industry-to-rise-to-rs-33-trillion-by-2028-report-666319.html New Delhi March 24 Indiaâs media and entertainment MampE sector entered a decisive phase of scale digital dominance and structural transformation in 2025 reaching Rs 278 trillion with a 9 per cent growth outpacing nominal GDP expansion according to a report As per a joint analysis by the FICCI and EY the MampE sector is expected to grow 28 per cent to reach Rs 286 trillion 329 billion in 2026 and Rs 33 trillion 379 billion by 2028Digital media has emerged as the largest segment accounting for over Rs 1 trillion in revenues Digital advertising contributed 63 per cent of total ad spends while subscriptions surged driven by OTT platforms premium sports and regional contentIn contrast television continued its gradual decline falling to Rs 617 billion in 2025 and expected to shrink further at a negative 5 per cent CAGR even as total TV households are projected to cross 200 million by 2028A key structural shift is the rise of regional storytelling with regional languages accounting for over half of OTT consumption and nearly twothirds of film productionThe industry produced nearly 200000 hours of content in 2025 led by television and supported by OTT and shortform formats even as traditional media remains under pressure from shifting ad spends and declining subscriptionsAdvertising remained a major growth driver expanding 135 per cent to Rs 15 trillion led by digital formats ecommerce and SME participationIn live events The organised segment experienced a 44 per cent increase fuelled by higher spending on ticketed events personal functions such as weddings government events and religious gatherings including the Maha Kumbh Mela the report notedHowever the report flagged challenges including declining payTV households weak monetisation in news and regulatory disruptions in gaming with the segment expected to contract at a CAGR of 22 per cent between 2025 and 2028Anant Goenka said the sector is at the forefront of Indiaâs creative and digital transformation driven by evolving audience behaviour and rapid technological changeCalling 2025 a âpivotal inflection pointâ Kevin Vaz said the industry has entered a new phase of âscale innovation and transformationâ These trends highlight an industry expanding in scale innovating across platforms and embracing technology he addedThe sector is projected to cross Rs 3 trillion by 2027 and reach Rs 33 trillion by 2028 with digital media driving growth and new formats such as creatorled platforms microdramas and immersive experiences shaping the next phase IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-media-and-entertainment-industry-to-rise-to-rs-33-trillion-by-2028-report-666319.html Tue, 24 Mar 2026 17:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/midcap-smallcap-mfs-rally-as-experts-advise-to-remain-cautious-amid-global-tensions-666346.html New Delhi March 24 When it comes to returns midcap and smallcap mutual funds have remained among the preferred choices for investors Both categories have witnessed substantial growth over the past five years with assets under management AUM rising sharply on the back of strong investor participation and sustained inflows a report said on Tuesday A report by ICRA Analytics pointed out data from Association of Mutual Funds in India AMFI which showed that midcap funds posted a fiveyear CAGR of 3241 per cent with AUM increasing to Rs 462 lakh crore in February 2026 from Rs 113 lakh crore in February 2021 Smallcap funds outpaced this growth registering a CAGR of 3993 per cent with AUM climbing to Rs 364 lakh crore from Rs 67764 crore during the same periodThe segment has also seen a turnaround in investor flows Midcap funds recorded net inflows of Rs 4003 crore in February 2026 compared to a marginal outflow of Rs 99 crore in February 2021 Similarly smallcap funds saw inflows of Rs 3881 crore reversing outflows of Rs 452 crore five years agoThe report cautioned that nearterm performance may remain volatile amid global uncertainties and foreign fund outflows from Indian equity marketsâOngoing geopolitical tensions are also expected to weigh on investor sentiment prompting a more cautious approach towards mid and smallcap investmentsâ according to the rating agencyDespite this longterm returns across several schemes remain strong with many funds delivering over 20 per cent compounded annual growth over five years reflecting the segmentâs potential to generate wealth over timeExperts suggest that disciplined investing through Systematic Investment Plans SIPs and a longer investment horizon can help investors navigate volatility and benefit from compoundingRetail participation continues to remain strong with SIP inflows rising nearly 1479 per cent yearonyear to Rs 29845 crore in February 2026 compared to Rs 25999 crore in the same month last year which indicates sustained investor confidence in mutual funds IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/midcap-smallcap-mfs-rally-as-experts-advise-to-remain-cautious-amid-global-tensions-666346.html Tue, 24 Mar 2026 18:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/gold-silver-plunge-up-to-6-pc-on-global-weakness-rupee-hits-9384-against-us-dollar-666037.html Mumbai March 23 Gold and silver prices in India traded sharply lower on Monday tracking weakness in global bullion markets amid rising concerns over inflation and potential interest rate hikes following escalating USIran tensions On the Multi Commodity Exchange MCX gold futures dropped steeply at the opening Gold futures April 2 fell as much as 559 per cent or Rs 8089 to hit an intraday low of Rs 136403 per 10 grams by 940 am while silver declined 663 per cent or Rs 15043 to Rs 211729 per kgSilver was later trading at Rs 214745 down Rs 12027 or 53 per cent while gold was at Rs 137924 lower by Rs 6568 or 45 per centIn the international market bullion prices also extended their decline with gold falling to a nearly fourmonth lowSpot gold slipped 380 per cent to 432019 per ounce its ninth consecutive session of losses while US gold futures dropped 4 per centSilver prices also weakened globally with spot silver falling 465 per cent to 6463 per ounceAnalysts said the sharp correction in precious metals reflects a shift in investor sentiment as rising geopolitical tensions have heightened inflationary risks and raised expectations of tighter monetary policy globallyGold prices had already declined more than 10 per cent last week indicating sustained selling pressure in global marketsMarket participants will now closely watch further developments in geopolitical tensions and the global interest rate outlook which are expected to influence bullion prices in the near termMeanwhile crude oil prices surged amid escalating tensions in West Asia with Brent crude futures rising 068 per cent to 11295 per barrel while US WTI crude futures traded 332 per cent higher at 10150In the currency market the rupee hit a fresh low of 9384 against US dollar Equity benchmarks also opened lower with Sensex and Nifty declining 2 per cent each IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/gold-silver-plunge-up-to-6-pc-on-global-weakness-rupee-hits-9384-against-us-dollar-666037.html Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/adobe-names-ex-microsoft-executive-shamik-basu-as-india-vp-666066.html New Delhi March 23 Adobe on Monday announced the appointment of Shamik Basu as Vice President Creative Products Group in India as part of its push to strengthen local innovation and leadership Based in Noida Basu will lead Adobe Indiaâs engineering and product management teams and report to Ely Greenfield He will also be part of the companyâs India leadership team focused on driving growth and innovation in the countryIndia is a priority market for Adobe and key to advancing intelligent creatorfirst experiences at scale Greenfield saidHe also highlighted the role of India teams across design imaging video and AIled initiatives such as FireflyBasu said he looks forward to working with teams in India and globally to build nextgeneration creative technology experiences especially as AI reshapes the industryIn his new role he will work closely with global teams on key products including Adobe Firefly Photoshop Illustrator Lightroom and Premiere Pro while strengthening Indiaâs strategic role across creativity and productivity offerings the software firm saidBasu joins Adobe after a career spanning over three decades building largescale software platforms Most recently he was with Microsoft where he led initiatives focused on performance reliability and AIdriven user experiencesAdobe which started operations in India in 1997 has grown into a major hub for the company with over 8000 employees across multiple campuses contributing significantly to its global innovation effortsFollowing the announcement shares of Adobe Inc were trading nearly 1 per cent higher at 24815 in US markets on the NasdaqEarlier the firm said its longserving chief executive Shantanu Narayen will step down after nearly two decades in the role Narayen will transition from the CEO role after a successor is appointed but will remain as board chair to support the leadership change it saidMoreover the board has formed a special committee to oversee the search process considering both internal and external candidates IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/adobe-names-ex-microsoft-executive-shamik-basu-as-india-vp-666066.html Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-digital-partnership-opens-way-ahead-for-nigeria-report-665942.html New Delhi March 22 Indiaâs MoUs with Nigeria on sharing digital technology provide the African nation with an opportunity to emulate the successful experiment already carried out in a 14 billion strong country in delivering social welfare services education and the creation of jobs The MoUs were signed in New Delhi when Nigeriaâs Minister of Communications Innovation and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani agreed on two key frameworks one with Indiaâs Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology MeitY and another with the Central Square Foundation an Indian EdTechâfocused organisationâFor millions of young Nigerians who dream of building the next African tech giant or for parents who simply want their children to access better education and services the digitalâtechnology partnership Nigeria signed with India in 2023 was not just a dry diplomatic agreement it was a quiet but powerful turning pointâ according to an article in India Narrative written by Chukwudi Okeke a Startup Mentor and cofounder of Nigeria Innovation Hub in LagosIndia did not just build a digital economy it rewired how a billion people interact with government banks and schools Nigeria with its own vast population youthful energy and struggling infrastructure now has a rare opportunity to learn from that experience adapt it to local realities and turn digital transformation into tangible progress for ordinary Nigerians the article states The MeitY agreement focuses on sharing digitalâsolutions particularly in eâgovernance digitalâidentity and publicâservice delivery while the Central Square pact targets technologyâenabled education and digitalâlearning infrastructure in Nigeriaâs public schools and training institutions Together these agreements lay the groundwork for structured technology transfer joint pilot projects and institutional exchanges between Nigerian and Indian agencies Nigeriaâs ambition is clear we want to create one million digitalâeconomy jobs by 2025 and raise digitalâliteracy levels among our youth Choosing India as a partner is deliberate because Indiaâs experience shows that digital transformation can be done at scale if it is planned funded and executed with political will the article points out Indiaâs digitalâstate architecture offers Nigeria a nearâreadyâmade template for how to build publicâtech infrastructure without reinventing the wheel Indiaâs Aadhaarâbased digitalâidentity system combined with India Stack and its Unified Payments Interface UPI has turned a paperâbased economy into one where hundreds of millions of people can open bank accounts receive government payments and make realâtime payments from a mobile phone the article states IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-digital-partnership-opens-way-ahead-for-nigeria-report-665942.html Sun, 22 Mar 2026 13:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-can-play-key-role-in-breaking-chinas-near-monopoly-on-critical-minerals-665953.html New Delhi March 22 India which holds the worlds fifth largest rare earth reserves and the required technology to produce these minerals can play a crucial role in breaking Chinaâs nearmonopoly on these critical minerals required for making electric vehicles wind turbines hitech electronic goods and defence equipment according to an article The global race for rare earth elements REEs has shifted from the margins of industrial policy to the centre of geopolitics China currently accounts for roughly 90 per cent of rare earth separation and processing and 93 per cent of magnet manufacturing according to an article published by the Australian Institute of International AffairsThis near monopoly has enabled China to use rare earth exports as a strategic leverage The most cited examples include the 2010 and January 2026 restrictions on shipments to Japan during maritime disputes in the East China Sea as well as more recent export controls used in negotiations with the United States As geopolitical tensions deepen governments and industries are urgently seeking alternative sources of supply the article by Dalbir Ahlawat pointed outIndia also remains heavily dependent on China for 8090 per cent of its magnets and related materials This vulnerability became clear when China tightened exports during a trade dispute resuming supply only after India provided enduser guarantees that the materials would not be reexported to the United States the article statesDespite its sizeable reserves Indiaâs rare earth sector has long been underdeveloped Production has been limited and dominated by stateowned enterprises such as Indian Rare Earths Limited whose regulatory framework historically discouraged private investment This in turn constrained refining capacity and prevented India from fully capitalising on its resource baseTo adapt to ground realities India launched the National Critical Minerals Mission in January 2025 to expand domestic exploration processing and value addition The government has begun opening critical mineral exploration to private firms while strengthening cooperation with international partners through frameworks such as the Minerals Security Partnership MSP which includes the United States Japan Australia and several European countriesWithin South Asia India occupies a distinctive geostrategic position that is increasingly shaped by competing connectivity initiatives Chinaâs Belt and Road Initiative continue to expand infrastructure and economic linkages while the USled IndoPacific frameworks seek to build alternative supply chains In a sense infrastructure investments energy corridors and connectivity projects have become a hallmark of strategic competition in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region Rare earth resources are increasingly becoming part of broader strategic competition linking resource security with infrastructure development and regional influence the article observedIndiaâs regional initiatives beginning with the Security and Growth for All in the Region SAGAR doctrine and recently expanded into the Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions MAHASAGAR reflect a cooperative approach to regional development These frameworks emphasise maritime cooperation disaster relief sustainable development and economic connectivity across the Indian Ocean and South Asia Integrating rare earth supply chains into this framework could open new avenues for collaboration with several regional states possessing deposits of critical minerals Afghanistan lanthanum cerium neodymium Bangladesh monazite zircon Myanmar dysprosium terbium Nepal tantalum niobium Bhutan tungsten lithium and Sri Lanka monazite zircon Yet these resources remain largely unexploited due to technological regulatory and financial constraints the article statedIndiaâs combination of resource availability technological capacity and geopolitical positioning uniquely positions it to lead the development of regional value chains for rare earth extraction and processing By doing so New Delhi could enable South Asian states to participate more actively in global supply networks while reducing excessive reliance on external powers the article pointed outIndia has also expanded international cooperation through the MSP framework complementing broader efforts by partners such as Australiaâs Lynas Corporation the United Statesâ Mountain Pass mine Japanâs diversification through overseas partnerships and recycling technologies and the European Unionâs Critical Raw Materials ActBy strengthening domestic capacity partnering with international producers and fostering regional cooperation across South Asia New Delhi can reinforce its broader role as a stabilising force in the region the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-can-play-key-role-in-breaking-chinas-near-monopoly-on-critical-minerals-665953.html Sun, 22 Mar 2026 16:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/andhra-mla-loses-rs-12-lakh-in-online-fraud-665955.html Amaravati March 22 A member of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly has lost Rs 12 lakh in an online fraud police said Cybercriminals allegedly duped Chirri Balaraju the MLA from PolavaramThe legislator belonging to Jana Sea Party JSP received a WhatsApp message containing a link in the name of a Road Transport Authority RTA challanThe amount was reportedly withdrawn from his bank account after he clicked on the link On realising that he had fallen victim to cyber fraud the MLA lodged a complaint with the policeA case has been registered at Jeelugumilli Police Station Police said the investigation is underway to trace the accused and recover the amountThis is not the first case of an MLA of Andhra Pradesh falling victim to cybercrimeIn October last year an MLA of the Telugu Desam Party TDP had lost Rs 107 crore in an alleged digital arrest caseCybercriminals impersonating Mumbai cybercrime officials conned Putta Sudhakar Yadav the MLA from Mydukur in YSR Kadapa districtThe legislator residing in Hyderabad had lodged a complaint with Hyderabad cybercrime police after realising that he had been dupedThe fraudsters had threatened to arrest the MLA in a fabricated case of money laundering and human trafficking They forced him to transfer the money under the pretext of securing a provisional bailThe cybercriminals had informed the MLA that the Mumbai cybercrime police had registered an FIR against him for money laundering based on 17 complaints alleging misuse of his Aadhaar and SIM card to open a bank account in his nameAccording to the MLA a fraudster posing as a cybercrime investigation officer had even joined a WhatsApp video call displaying a forged arrest warrant and a CBI account freeze order After the MLA was threatened with arrest he transferred Rs 107 crore through nine transactions in a week to secure a provisional bailWhen the scammers demanded another Rs 60 lakh for a court clearance order the MLA realised that he had been conned and approached the police IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/andhra-mla-loses-rs-12-lakh-in-online-fraud-665955.html Sun, 22 Mar 2026 16:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-industrial-and-warehousing-stock-inventory-crosses-half-a-billion-square-feet-665869.html Mumbai March 21 The Industrial and warehousing inventory stock across eight primary markets in the country has crossed half a billion square feet a report showed on Saturday The stock of industrial and warehousing stands at 0549 billion sq ft 549 million sq ft as of December 31 The industrial and warehousing stock has expanded by 13 per cent from 486 mn sq ft in 2024 according to a Knight Frank India reportThe report stated that the eight cities collectively hold 256 mn sq ft of potential space within established warehousing parks more than three times the annual transaction volumes recorded in 2025 providing adequate capacity to support nearterm demand expansionMeanwhile Mumbai leads the industrial and warehousing market with 31 per cent of the total stock The stock in the city is recorded at 170 mn sq ft in 2025 which has expanded by 125 per cent yearonyear from 151 mn sq ft in 2024 âMumbai remains one of Indiaâs most important warehousing markets supported by its large consumption base portled trade activity and extensive logistics infrastructure Demand continues to be driven by 3PL thirdparty logistics manufacturing FMCG and retail occupiers with the Bhiwandi and Panvel clusters forming the backbone of the cityâs warehousing ecosystemâ the report mentionedAs the second largest contributor DelhiNCR constitutes 21 per cent of the overall industrial and warehousing stock across eight primary marketsThe stock inventory in NCR is recorded at 115 mn sq ft in 2025 which has expanded by 1165 per cent onyear from 103 mn sq ft in 2024According to the report driven by renewed demand from diverse industries and combination of superior interstate connectivity proximity to largescale manufacturing bases and sustained industrialisation has firmly positioned DelhiNCR as one of Indiaâs most preferred warehousing destinations in the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-industrial-and-warehousing-stock-inventory-crosses-half-a-billion-square-feet-665869.html Sat, 21 Mar 2026 12:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/global-oil-prices-fall-up-to-3-pc-as-us-signals-easing-of-iran-crude-sanctions-665744.html Mumbai March 20 Global oil prices traded lower on Friday after the US signalled a possible easing of sanctions on Iranian crude as efforts intensified to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz Brent crude futures fell as much as 339 per cent to an intraday low of 10496 per barrel while US WTI crude futures traded 322 per cent lower at 9247 hitting an intraday lowThe decline in oil prices followed comments by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent who indicated that Washington may consider easing restrictions on Iranian oil already at sea to help cool global pricesIn an interview with Fox Business Network he said the US could âunsanctionâ around 140 million barrels of Iranian oil currently on the water in the coming days He added that the US has allowed Iranian crude to continue flowing out of the Gulf and signalled that further flexibility could be explored depending on market conditionsBessent also said the US is not targeting Iranâs energy infrastructure and retains multiple levers to influence global oil supplyDespite the recent decline crude prices have surged sharply amid geopolitical tensions As the West Asia conflict entered its 21st day Brent crude rose nearly 40 per cent from 7774 on March 2 to 10865 on March 19Analysts said crude prices have cooled slightly amid signs of deescalation in the Middle East while easing concerns over disruptions to Iranâs energy infrastructure have reduced the risk premium in oil markets However prices remain elevated continuing to exert pressure on the Indian rupeeMeanwhile equity markets also bounced back with frontline indices trading over 1 per cent higher Sensex rose nearly 1000 points or 134 per cent by 946 am while Nifty gained 138 per cent or around 300 pointsGlobal equities traded mixed with Wall Street ending in the red In the US the SampP 500 closed 027 per cent lower while the Nasdaq declined 028 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/global-oil-prices-fall-up-to-3-pc-as-us-signals-easing-of-iran-crude-sanctions-665744.html Fri, 20 Mar 2026 15:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/gold-silver-prices-climb-up-to-3-pc-as-geopolitical-tensions-appear-to-ease-665751.html Mumbai March 20 Gold and silver on Friday witnessed a substantial rise in prices with both precious metals gaining 3 per cent amid hopes of easing tensions in West Asia On the Multi Commodity Exchange MCX gold futures April 2 touched an intraday high of Rs 148302 per 10 grams at around 1045 am up 230 per cent or Rs 3348 During the session so far gold hit a low of Rs 147401 At the last count the yellow metal was trading at Rs 147534 up Rs 2580 or 178 per centSimilarly silver futures May 5 rose as much as 368 per cent or Rs 8540 to Rs 240000 per kg In intraday trade silver hit a low of Rs 237300 It was last trading at Rs 236903 up Rs 5443 or 235 per centIn international markets both gold and silver were trading higher Comex gold rose 240 per cent to 4716 per ounce while silver gained 361 per cent to 7378 per ounceAccording to Manav Modi commodities analyst at Motilal Oswal Financial Services gold prices stabilised in early trade but are still heading towards their worst weekly decline in six years He said the recent fall in gold was driven by rising inflation expectations due to the ongoing USIsrael conflict with Iran along with reduced expectations of interest rate cuts in the near termThe analyst added that safehaven demand for gold has been weighed down by a sharp rise in the US dollar and Treasury yields while elevated oil prices have further heightened concerns over inflation and supply disruptionsGold and silver had witnessed a sharp decline on Thursday with gold slipping to around Rs 144 lakh per 10 grams and silver to about Rs 220 lakh per kgAccording to experts MCX gold is trading above key support levels near Rs 147000 with immediate resistance seen in the Rs 150000â152000 range while silver remains in a rangebound zone with support near Rs 233000 and resistance around Rs 243000â246000 IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/gold-silver-prices-climb-up-to-3-pc-as-geopolitical-tensions-appear-to-ease-665751.html Fri, 20 Mar 2026 15:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/whatsapp-plans-usernames-new-pricing-model-to-enhance-privacy-empower-businesses-665755.html New Delhi March 20 Popular messaging platform WhatsApp is planning to introduce usernames and unique IDs enabling users to send messages and make voice or video calls without revealing their phone numbers according to reports The new feature is expected to be rolled out globally by June 2026Both individuals and businesses are likely to be able to reserve unique handles similar to other social media platforms according to themâWe are excited to bring usernames to WhatsApp in the future to help people connect with new friends groups and businesses without having to share their phone numbersâ the company said in a statementThe feature is expected to be optional allowing users to continue using phone numbers if they choose This approach is aimed at avoiding disruption and preventing users from shifting to rival platformsIn addition WhatsApp is exploring a dynamic pricing model for businesses where companies may bid in real time to send marketing messages said reportsThe new system is likely to undergo testing in the second half of 2026 and could be implemented in 2027 according to reportsIndia with over 500 million users remains one of WhatsAppâs key markets globallyEarlier in February a report said social media platforms currently influence 77 per cent of retail purchase decisions in India with Meta platforms driving 96 per cent of social discoveryThe report by Meta and the Retailers Association of India RAI said shortform video and creators are accelerating product discovery with 97 per cent of consumers watching short videos daily and 60 per cent of time on Facebook and Instagram spent on videoThe report added that 72 per cent of product discovery happens on the messaging platform WhatsApp IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/whatsapp-plans-usernames-new-pricing-model-to-enhance-privacy-empower-businesses-665755.html Fri, 20 Mar 2026 16:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-energy-resilience-managing-lpg-stability-amid-global-turbulence--665777.html New Delhi March 20 The recent tensions in the Gulf region particularly around the Strait of Hormuz have once again exposed the fragility of global energy supply chains For a country like India â historically dependent on imported hydrocarbons â such disruptions inevitably trigger concerns about fuel shortages In recent weeks social media has amplified anxieties around LPG availability with visuals of long queues and delayed deliveries circulating widelyHowever a closer and more grounded assessment reveals a very different reality Indiaâs energy architecture has evolved into a resilient adaptive system capable of managing external shocks without compromising household needsAt the heart of the current concern lies the Strait of Hormuz a critical maritime chokepoint through which a significant portion of the worldâs oil and liquefied petroleum gas LPG supplies transit For India which imports nearly 60â65 per cent of its LPG demand â most of it routed through this corridor â any disruption naturally raises alarmsYet despite reduced shipping traffic and heightened geopolitical risks India has managed to stabilise domestic LPG supply through a combination of proactive policy decisions logistical agility and strategic foresightOne of the defining features of Indiaâs response has been the clear prioritisation of household energy needsWith over 33 crore domestic LPG connections and more than 300 million households dependent on cooking gas ensuring uninterrupted supply is treated as a national priorityThe government moved swiftly to ringfence household consumption directing oil marketing companies to maintain uninterrupted supply for domestic users while managing temporary constraints for commercial sectors such as restaurants and hotelsThis calibrated approach ensured that while some visible disruptions appeared in commercial supply chains household access remained largely unaffectedSimultaneously domestic production was ramped up to cushion the impact of import disruptionsRefineries were instructed to divert hydrocarbon streams towards LPG production resulting in a significant increase in domestic outputStatelevel initiatives complemented this effort with regions such as Maharashtra enhancing daily LPG production capacity These measures reduced immediate dependence on imports and helped stabilise supply during the peak of the crisisEqually important has been Indiaâs robust distribution infrastructure built steadily over the past decadeToday the country operates one of the largest LPG ecosystems in the world supported by an extensive network of bottling plants storage depots and over 25000 distributors This system coupled with a national buffer stock capable of sustaining supply for over two weeks ensures that even when shipments are delayed distribution to households continues with minimal disruptionOnce incoming cargoes dock the scale and efficiency of Indiaâs bottling and logistics network enable rapid normalisation within daysThe role of public sector oil companies â Indian Oil Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum â has been central to this effort These companies maintain substantial operational inventories and possess the capability to rebalance supply across regions in real timeContinuous monitoring of stock levels tanker movements and regional demand patterns has allowed them to address bottlenecks before they escalate into wider disruptionsIn parallel the government deployed regulatory measures to prevent panicdriven distortions in the marketBy increasing the minimum interval between LPG refill bookings and invoking provisions under the Essential Commodities Act authorities effectively curbed hoarding and blackmarket activities Such interventions ensured that supply remained equitably distributed and that artificial shortages did not emerge due to panic buyingIndiaâs response has not been limited to domestic measures alone Diplomatic engagement and maritime coordination have played a crucial role in maintaining the flow of energy imports Under Operation Sankalp the Indian Navy ensured the safe passage of merchant vessels in sensitive regions while diplomatic channels facilitated the movement of LPG tankers through disrupted routes As a result several shipments have successfully reached Indian ports further easing supply concernsWhat this episode also highlights is the importance of longterm structural reforms in strengthening energy security Over the past decade India has consciously diversified its sources of crude oil and LPG imports expanding procurement beyond West Asia to include the United States Russia and parts of Africa Strategic petroleum reserves have been developed to provide an additional buffer during emergencies while investments in pipelines LNG terminals and city gas distribution networks are reducing dependence on coastal import infrastructureSimultaneously initiatives such as the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana have transformed Indiaâs LPG landscape by expanding access to clean cooking fuel to over 10 crore beneficiaries This expansion has not only improved social outcomes but also strengthened the lastmile delivery network making the system more resilient in times of crisisLooking ahead Indiaâs energy strategy is increasingly aligned with diversification and sustainability The expansion of renewable energy capacityâparticularly solar and windâalong with experiments in electric cooking and bioenergy is gradually reducing dependence on imported fossil fuelsIn a volatile geopolitical environment resilience is no longer about insulation but about flexibility â the ability to adapt reroute and recover quickly from disruptionsThe real challenge in the current situation however lies not in supply but in perception Viral images and isolated disruptions particularly in commercial segments have created an impression of widespread shortageIn reality the protected household supply chain has remained stable throughout This underscores the need for responsible communication and reliance on verified information especially during times of global uncertaintyIn conclusion the recent LPG supply concerns serve as a stress test â one that Indiaâs energy system has passed with considerable confidence Through a combination of prioritised distribution enhanced domestic production strategic reserves regulatory oversight and international coordination the country has ensured that millions of households continue to receive uninterrupted cooking gasAs global shipping stabilises remaining disruptions are expected to ease further More importantly this episode reaffirms that Indiaâs energy security framework is no longer fragile â it is robust responsive and built to endure IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-energy-resilience-managing-lpg-stability-amid-global-turbulence--665777.html Fri, 20 Mar 2026 16:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/zomato-increases-platform-fee-by-19-pc-to-around-rs-15-per-order-665795.html New Delhi March 20 Food delivery platform Zomato has increased platform fee by 192 per cent or Rs 240 per order according to the latest billing details available on its app on Friday On a preGST basis the platform fee now stands at Rs 1490 per order up from Rs 1250 earlierThe latest hike comes amid rising energy costs including LPG and crude oil which have increased operating expenses for restaurants and delivery partners prompting platforms to adjust pricingLeading online food delivery platform last revised the platform fee in September 2025 Earlier in February Zomato had increased the platform fee to Rs 10 per order from Rs 6 during the festive periodMeanwhile rival Swiggy is currently charging a platform fee of Rs 1499 per order including taxesZomato had initially introduced a platform fee of Rs 2 per order in August 2023 which has since been gradually increased across key marketsThe move comes as food delivery platforms focus on improving unit economics and margins amid rising operational costsShares of Zomatoâs parent Eternal ended at Rs 233 on Friday up 186 per cent from the previous close and nearly 75 per cent higher for the week However the stock has declined around 13 per cent over the past monthThe company reported a 7288 per cent rise in consolidated net profit to Rs 102 crore for the December quarter Q3 FY26 compared to Rs 59 crore in the yearago period Revenue from operations more than tripled to Rs 16315 crore from Rs 5405 crore a year earlierEternal which rebranded itself from Zomato in March 2025 also saw a sharp rise in expenses IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/zomato-increases-platform-fee-by-19-pc-to-around-rs-15-per-order-665795.html Fri, 20 Mar 2026 17:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/sensex-nifty-crash-in-early-trade-over-escalating-middle-east-tensions-oil-prices-665650.html Mumbai March 19 Indian equity markets opened sharply lower on Thursday tracking weak global cues as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East triggered a surge in crude oil prices Sensex plunged 1953 points or 255 per cent to 74750 while Nifty also witnessed heavy selling pressure declining 580 points or about 24 per cent before recovering a bit in early tradeAmong stocks HDFC Bank Shriram Finance Larsen amp Toubro LampT TMPV Axis Bank HDFC Life and IndiGo plunged up to 4 per cent in morning tradeAcross sectors broadbased selling was witnessed with financials and auto stocks leading the decline The Nifty Private Bank index fell over 3 per cent while Nifty Financial Services Nifty Auto and Realty indices declined more than 2 per cent eachThe sharp fall comes amid a spike in crude oil prices with Brent crude futures jumping nearly 5 per cent to 11283 per barrel close to its alltime high of 11287 Meanwhile WTI crude futures were trading at 10002 per barrelTechnically immediate support for Nifty is placed in the 23250â23150 range while resistance is seen around 23900â23950 The RSI at 3704 indicates early signs of recovery from oversold levels but a sustained move above resistance is needed to confirm momentumâ said Hitesh Tailor Research Analyst at Choice BrokingThe rise in oil prices followed heightened tensions after Iran launched a missile attack on Qatarâs Ras Laffan gas facility one of the worldâs largest LNG hubsThe situation has escalated further after coordinated USIsrael airstrikes targeted Iranâs South Pars gas field and oil infrastructure in Asaluyeh a key energy hubThe sharp fall in early trading wiped out most of the gains recorded earlier this week when both indices had risen around 3 per cent with the Sensex gaining over 2000 points and the Nifty about 600 pointsMeanwhile Asian markets also experienced significant declines with major indices such as the Nikkei the Hang Seng and the KOSPI each down by up to 3 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/sensex-nifty-crash-in-early-trade-over-escalating-middle-east-tensions-oil-prices-665650.html Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/crude-oil-prices-slide-over-3-pc-amid-geopolitical-tensions-665489.html New Delhi March 18 Global oil prices traded in the negative zone on Wednesday slipping over 3 per cent after a sharp surge in the previous session as escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia kept markets volatile Brent crude futures were trading 250 per cent lower hitting an intraday low of 10085 per barrel by 945 am while the US benchmark West Texas Intermediate WTI crude fell 340 per cent to an intraday low of 9283So far this week WTI futures have declined as much as 473 per cent while Brent crude has dropped over 2 per centThe sharp correction comes despite heightened geopolitical risks following Iranâs confirmation that Ali Larijani a senior security official and secretary of the Supreme National Security Council has been killed His death is being viewed as a significant blow to Iranâs wartime leadership and signals further deterioration in the regional conflictAt the centre of market concerns remains the Strait of Hormuz a critical oil transit route that typically carries nearly a fifth of global shipmentsMovement through the passage continues to remain restricted with vessel traffic increasingly dictated by geopolitical developments rather than normal trade flowsEfforts by US President Donald Trump to mobilise allied support to secure the route appear to have stalled adding to uncertainty over the timeline for normalising supply chainsMeanwhile military activity in the region has intensified with Iran stepping up attacks and US forces targeting missile sites near the straitOil prices have rallied sharply this year rising nearly 70 per cent largely driven by the escalation involving Iran the US and IsraelThe surge is now beginning to reflect in retail fuel costs with US diesel prices crossing 5 per gallonNotably oil prices surged by more than 3 per cent in the previous session IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/crude-oil-prices-slide-over-3-pc-amid-geopolitical-tensions-665489.html Wed, 18 Mar 2026 10:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/stakeholders-call-for-holistic-export-cluster-rejuvenation-with-focus-on-msmes-665493.html New Delhi March 18 Stakeholders have emphasised the need for a holistic and balanced approach to rejuvenation of exportoriented industrial clusters integrating infrastructure upgradation with capacity building technology adoption and improved market access it was announced on Wednesday During a postBudget meeting organised by the National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation NICDC the importance of strengthening domestic manufacturing ecosystems particularly in sectors with high import dependence was highlightedThe meeting was chaired by Secretary Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade DPIIT Amardeep Singh BhatiaRajat Kumar Saini CEO and Managing Director NICDC emphasised the importance of continued stakeholder engagement to refine and operationalise the cluster development frameworkThe meeting witnessed wide participation from representatives of Export Promotion Councils EPCs industry associations financial institutions research organisations and government stakeholdersParticipants also stressed the need for robust testing certification and quality infrastructure to enhance global competitiveness and reduce reliance on overseas facilities according to Commerce MinistryNotably the discussions underscored the importance of promoting innovation research and development and technology commercialisation within clustersTargeted support for MSMEs to enhance productivity and facilitate their integration into global value chains was also emphasised the statement saidStakeholders highlighted the need for effective governance mechanisms including industryled participation through Special Purpose Vehicles SPVs and the establishment of clusterlevel facilitation systems to support investors and enterprisesâSimplification of regulatory processes improved awareness and accessibility of government schemes and greater flexibility at the state and district levels for contextspecific implementation were also emphasisedâ according to the statementStrengthening design innovation and intellectual property ecosystems developing sustainable financing models and leveraging existing government initiatives to scale highpotential clusters were also discussedA broad consensus emerged on placing MSMEs at the centre of cluster development efforts with a focus on improving access to finance enhancing capabilities and enabling greater participation in export marketsThe need to align cluster development with global demand trends and strengthen Indiaâs position in global value chains was also highlighted IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/stakeholders-call-for-holistic-export-cluster-rejuvenation-with-focus-on-msmes-665493.html Wed, 18 Mar 2026 11:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/nearly-65-pc-of-india-office-supply-to-come-from-tech-parks-by-2026-27-665502.html New Delhi March 18 Around 65â68 per cent of the projected office supply in India during 2026â27 is expected to come up within integrated technology parks a report showed on Wednesday A report by CBRE said this suggested a rise from 54â58 per cent in 2024â25 Indiaâs total office stock is also projected to cross the 1 billion sq ft mark this yearThe report also noted that 2025 was the strongest year for the office market in terms of both leasing and supplyâAnnual gross absorption rose to a record 831 million sq ft for the third consecutive year while new supply touched an alltime high of 589 million sq ft up 10 per cent yearonyearâ according to the CBRE reportCitywise Bengaluru Mumbai DelhiNCR and Hyderabad together accounted for nearly threefourths of the total leasing activity during the year Moreover these cities contributed 69 per cent of global capability centres GCCs leasingIn 2025 GCCs accounted for around 39 per cent of total office absorption leasing about 328 million sq ft across major cities according to the reportThe report said GCCs are expected to expand further in 2026 with a greater focus on highcomplexity RampD roles and global product ownership RampDfocused GCCs have grown 13 times faster than overall GCC setups in India since 2020Anshuman Magazine Chairman and CEO at CBRE said the increasing share of supply within integrated tech parks reflects alignment between developer strategies and evolving occupier needsHe said GCCs are expanding into areas such as research and development and product ownership making highquality real estate a key factor in attracting and retaining talentâPreference for integrated tech parks remains strong among GCCs Around 65 per cent of such occupiers expect to expand their portfolios by at least 10 per cent by 2027â according to the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/nearly-65-pc-of-india-office-supply-to-come-from-tech-parks-by-2026-27-665502.html Wed, 18 Mar 2026 12:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-electronics-hardware-exports-jump-over-30-pc-to-385-billion-in-2024-25-665523.html New Delhi March 17 Indiaâs electronics hardware exports recorded a substantial growth in 202425 increasing by 3247 per cent yearonyear YoY to reach 3858 billion according to the report released on Wednesday The report from the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council ESC said that the exports stood at 2912 billion in 202324 reflecting a sharp increase driven largely by telecom equipment particularly smartphonesSmartphone exports alone rose to an estimated 2414 billion in 202425 from 1557 billion in the previous year making it the largest component of Indiaâs electronics hardware export basketMoreover the United States remained the top destination accounting for 44 per cent of Indiaâs smartphone exports followed by the United Arab Emirates 11 per cent the Netherlands 9 per cent the United Kingdom 6 per cent and Italy 5 per centRegionwise North America emerged as the largest destination with exports worth 1470 billion followed by Europe at 1145 billionVeer Sagar Chairman of ESC said initiatives under the Bharat Tech banner are helping Indian companies expand into emerging markets such as Africa Latin America CIS ASEAN and SAARC while strengthening presence in established regions like North America and EuropeGurmeet Singh Executive Director at ESC said the momentum in hardware exports has been remarkable with telecom equipment led by smartphones acting as the key growth driverMeanwhile exports to Russia and CIS countries more than tripled to 110 billion while the Middle East accounted for 520 billionâShipments to the Far East Korea and Japan grew 4856 per cent to 175 billionâ according to the reportAmong states Tamil Nadu led with exports worth 15 billion in 202425 followed by Karnataka 785 billion Uttar Pradesh 530 billion Maharashtra 360 billion Gujarat 280 billion and Delhi 1 billionThe data from the report has indicated that Indiaâs electronics manufacturing and export base is expanding beyond traditional clusters with growth now spread across multiple regions IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-electronics-hardware-exports-jump-over-30-pc-to-385-billion-in-2024-25-665523.html Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/us-sees-chinas-monopoly-over-critical-minerals-as-major-challenge-report-665530.html New Delhi March 18 The US sees Chinaâs dominance of rare earth minerals which are critical inputs required for electronic products defence hardware and electric vehicles as a major challenge Ironically senior officials also realise that America itself is responsible for having allowed the technology and production of these critical minerals go into Chinaâs hands A report in US news portal Defense One highlights that Washington itself transferred the technology to China in order to avoid the high pollution involved in producing these mineralsThe report cites the US assistant defense secretary for industrial base policy Mike Cadenazzi as saying âAfter the Cold War we took our hardwon science and our worldleading investments in technologies And we said âHere China why donât you do thisâ We did because we didnât want to pollute and thatâs fair But as a resultâwe lost two generations of scientists and engineering and business to learn how to go do this betterââInstead of developing a way to make it cleaner and better âwe wound up 95 percent dependent on China for rare earthsâand as a result I now have a periodic table of elements on the wall next to my desk that I look at every dayâ Cadenazzi saidHe stated that in China the US faces a strategic competitor that offers a new level of challenge and there was a need to act quickly to close gaps in manufacturing and secure access to critical mineralsCadenazzi further highlighted that China accounts for 30 per cent of global manufacturing compared with the USAâs 17 per cent He also mentioned that Chinaâs overall manufacturing capacity compared to the US is many times moreHe attributed Chinaâs control of many critical minerals as one of the key factors behind this advantage China produces about 70 percent of rare earths globally and processes about 90 percent But the United States has made significant investments into refining and processing minerals and in October announced a âframework for mining and processing critical minerals and rare earthsâ with Australia the report by Defense One managing editor Jennifer Hlad statesOther countries are also working to increase production and refinement of critical minerals Almonty Industries a company headquartered in Canada will mark the completion of a new processing plant at a South Korean tungsten mine next week which the company claims will enable it to fulfil about 40 percent of global tungsten demand outside of China and break the Asian giantâs dominant hold over the global market the report added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/us-sees-chinas-monopoly-over-critical-minerals-as-major-challenge-report-665530.html Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-robust-economy-is-opening-up-jobs-across-sectors-report-665537.html New Delhi March 18 The decline in Indiaâs unemployment rate to 49 per cent in February reflects an encouraging shift in the rhythm of hiring Employment creation is no longer locked within a handful of urban hubs or select industries Februaryâs gains were spread across manufacturing construction retail logistics and agriculture â a sign that recovery is broad based and reaching both rural and urban India according to an article in India NarrativeThe governmentâs capital expenditure on big infrastructure projects and the rebounding business confidence appear to be translating into tangible job opportunitiesThe manufacturing push under the âMake in Indiaâ and âAtmanirbhar Bharatâ programmes seems to be showing results PLI ProductionLinked Incentive schemes are attracting global investments in sectors such as electronics automobiles and renewable energy These industries not only create direct factory jobs but also spawn ancillary employment in logistics component manufacturing and servicesThe growing trend of global companies choosing India as a production base has made job creation increasingly resilient to seasonal slowdowns the article statesIt also highlights that youth employment often seen as Indiaâs biggest challenge is also witnessing green shoots The technology and digital services industries continue to thrive employing millions in software data analytics and cloud solutionsMore recently Indiaâs robust startup ecosystem â from fintech and ecommerce to green energy â has become a magnet for young talent The governmentâs continued focus on skilling through programs like PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana ensures that a generation of youth is better prepared for the changing job landscapeThe pickup in rural jobs indicates that the benefits of growth are filtering down to smaller towns and villages This expansion helps stabilise household incomes and strengthens rural demand creating a virtuous cycle of economic activity the article further statesWhile much of the recent improvement stems from cyclical recovery deeper structural trends are also playing out Indiaâs labour force participation rate particularly among women has begun moving upward after years of stagnation More women entering the workforce â in healthcare education micro entrepreneurship and digital services â indicates a gradual but meaningful transformation in the nature of Indiaâs employment baseAs digital connectivity expands new flexible models of work including remote and part time opportunities are unlocking economic potential for millions who were previously excluded the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-robust-economy-is-opening-up-jobs-across-sectors-report-665537.html Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/71-pc-firms-in-india-willing-to-invest-in-digital-tech-highest-globally-report-665538.html New Delhi March 18 As many as 71 per cent of companies in India are willing to invest significantly in digital technologies the highest globally highlighting the countryâs strong push towards digital transformation a report said on Wednesday adding that India ranks among top 3 in global industry 40 adoption According to the MHP report in collaboration with LMU Munich a majority of respondents worldwide expect significant disruption in the next decade due to digitalisation About 31 per cent believe their industries will undergo fundamental change while another 51 per cent consider it likelyIndia stands out in this transition with 44 per cent of respondents convinced that softwaredriven approaches are already transforming their industries compared to just 17 per cent in the DACH region comprising Germany Austria and SwitzerlandThis gap is attributed to Indiaâs stronger âsoftwarefirstâ mindset and faster adoption of digital technologies indicating a higher readiness for structural change the report saidThe report also underlined Indiaâs growing readiness to adopt softwaredriven approaches with companies showing greater intent to invest in new technologies compared to peers in major global marketsIndia is emerging as one of the most transformationready markets globally with companies showing the highest willingness to invest in digital technologies amid rapid adoption of softwaredriven approaches it saidThis compares with 65 per cent in Mexico and 59 per cent in the United States In contrast only 29 per cent of respondents in the DACH region expressed similar willingnessChristina S Reich from FOM University of Applied Sciences said the lower investment appetite in Europe is linked to a stronger focus on efficiency and cost optimisation which often limits strategic growth and innovationShe added that emerging markets such as India China and Mexico are pursuing more differentiated strategies with India focusing on improving quality and aligning with global standards to expand into new marketsThe report also noted that Asian markets particularly China along with the US are adopting digital production technologies faster and in a more integrated manner than European companies IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/71-pc-firms-in-india-willing-to-invest-in-digital-tech-highest-globally-report-665538.html Wed, 18 Mar 2026 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/sensex-nifty-trade-flat-in-early-trade-amid-middle-east-tensions-665346.html Mumbai March 16 The benchmark equity indices opened lower on Monday but soon turned flat in early trade as investors remained cautious amid escalating geopolitical tensions in Middle East The 30scrip basket opened 148 points or 019 per cent lower at 74415 compared with the previous close The index later pared losses and traded nearly flat at 74611 up about 50 points in early tradeSimilarly Nifty began the session on a flat note at 23116 rising 35 points or 015 per cent from Fridayâs close as investors tracked developments in the ongoing tensions involving Iran Israel and the United StatesInfosys was among the major laggards along with Asian Paints Maruti Suzuki Wipro and Mahindra amp Mahindra which also traded lowerMarket sentiment remained fragile due to concerns over the widening West Asia conflict tanker attacks in the Gulf region and potential disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz a critical global oil supply corridorSectorwise Nifty FMCG emerged as the top gainer rising 051 per cent to 4816670 Nifty Pharma advanced 027 per cent while Nifty Metal added 019 per cent On the losing side Nifty Chemicals slipped 024 per cent to 2625610Analysts said domestic markets may witness a slightly firm to steady opening supported by GIFT Nifty which was trading around 23248 up nearly 49 points or 021 per cent indicating a modest recovery attempt after the recent correctionTechnically analysts see 23000â23100 as immediate support for the Nifty 50 while 23400â23500 may act as a key resistance zone in the near termForeign institutional investors continued their selling streak extending it to the 11th consecutive session on March 13 offloading equities worth over Rs 10000 crore while domestic institutional investors provided support with purchases of nearly Rs 10000 crore helping cushion the marketExperts noted that investor sentiment remains cautious amid rising crude prices rupee weakness and geopolitical tensionsSince the latest escalation in the Middle East markets have seen heightened volatility as Brent crude prices moved toward the 90â100 per barrel range raising concerns over inflation and potential supply disruptionsMoreover analysts believe a decisive break above the 23300â23500 zone could trigger short covering and push the index toward 23800â24000 while a fall below the 23000 mark may extend losses toward the 22800â22700 support band IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/sensex-nifty-trade-flat-in-early-trade-amid-middle-east-tensions-665346.html Mon, 16 Mar 2026 12:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/phonepe-temporarily-pauses-ipo-listing-process-665379.html New Delhi March 16 PhonePe on Monday announced that it has temporarily deferred its public market listing process due to the current geopolitical conflicts and market volatility and will resume the listing process once there is some stability in global capital markets Sameer Nigam PhonePes CEO said We sincerely hope for a swift return to peace in all the affected regions We remain committed to a public listing in IndiaAs of September 30 2025 PhonePe has over 65 crore registered users and a digital payments acceptance network spread across over 47 crore merchants The digital payments app was launched in 2016 and headquartered in IndiaMeanwhile in January this year PhonePe Payment Gateway PhonePe PG announced the launch of âPhonePe PG Boltâ for Visa and Mastercard Credit and Debit card transactions The solution utilises device tokenisation to provide a secure and efficient inapp checkout experience for PhonePe platform users and merchant partners according to its official statementThis feature allows users to tokenise their Mastercard and Visa cards once on the PhonePe app enabling them to use their saved cards across any merchant integrated with PhonePe PG instead of having to tokenise their card separately with every merchantBy replacing sensitive card details with secure tokens the system removes the requirement for CVV entry during subsequent transactions carried out on the same device This architecture reduces the number of steps in the payment journey maintaining the user within the merchantâs app environment throughout the process and eliminating traditional redirects to external pagesThe launch of PhonePe PG Bolt feature for Visa and Mastercard is a significant step in our journey to simplify digital payments for millions of Indians By leveraging device tokenisation we will enable users and merchants to move away from the traditional cumbersome checkout process to a secure oneclick payment experienceâ said Yuvraj Singh Shekhawat Chief Business Officer of Merchant Business at PhonePe LimitedâThis not only enhances user convenience but also empowers our merchant partners to maximize their growth through industrybest success rates and reduced dropoffs Shekhawat added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/phonepe-temporarily-pauses-ipo-listing-process-665379.html Mon, 16 Mar 2026 14:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indian-smartphone-volumes-may-see-headwinds-from-global-ram-prices-report-665385.html New Delhi March 15 Indian smartphone makers are likely to face a challenging period as global memory or RAM prices surge squeezing volumes and pushing up average selling prices a new report has said Brokerage CLSA said in a report that Indian smartphone shipments remained under pressure on a YoY and sequential basis in January with volumes falling about 25 per cent due to a sharp rise in RAM prices that began in August 2025NDTV Profit has earlier reported that RAM prices have tripled since last year amid unprecedented demand from large artificial intelligence AI players which has diverted supply away from the retail marketThe spike in RAM prices has translated into higher device prices and availability concerns with industry sources pointing to an 8 per cent increase in average selling prices since SeptemberNothing CEO Carl Pei has previously warned that smartphone prices are likely to rise this year because of the RAM shortage which CLSA forecasted could last at least until FY27 The brokerage noted that pricing pressure is most notable in the entryâlevel segmentMajor handset makers such as Motorola Oppo and Realme which source components from Dixon Technologies have seen annual volume declines ranging from 20 per cent to 68 per cent the firm said The brokerage also raised doubts about component manufacturers meeting fiscalâyear guidance and growth targets for FY27Smartphones were Indiaâs top export category for the first time with a total 3013 billion worth of exports in the JanuaryDecember period Apple accounted for 76 per cent of total smartphone exportsIndia became the worldâs secondlargest mobile phone producer with more than 99 per cent of phones sold domestically Now Made in India has moved up the manufacturing value chain IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indian-smartphone-volumes-may-see-headwinds-from-global-ram-prices-report-665385.html Mon, 16 Mar 2026 15:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/chennai-plans-ev-charging-stations-to-boost-electric-mobility-665233.html Chennai March 15 The Greater Chennai Corporation GCC is preparing to install electric vehicle EV charging stations in several prominent neighbourhoods of the city as part of efforts to strengthen charging infrastructure and promote the adoption of electric mobility According to civic officials the charging stations will be set up in areas including Anna Nagar T Nagar Nungambakkam Adyar and Besant Nagar Each location will be equipped with two charging points allowing motorists to charge their electric vehicles while utilising nearby parking facilities The initiative is likely to support the growing number of electric vehicle users in Chennai including private vehicle owners as well as operators working in the appbased taxi logistics and delivery sectors With electric twowheelers and cars becoming increasingly common across the city the availability of accessible charging facilities in busy commercial and residential areas is expected to improve convenience for motorists who spend long hours on the road Civic authorities noted that the project also reflects the rising demand for public charging infrastructure as more residents transition to electric mobility The lack of easily accessible charging points has been a major concern for many EV users particularly in densely populated residential localities and commercial hubs The proposal for installing EV charging stations had earlier been raised during a council meeting by Ward 104 councillor TV Shemmozhi who highlighted the need for additional public charging infrastructure across the city The councillor had pointed out that many residents who had shifted to electric vehicles were facing difficulties locating charging facilities and urged the corporation to consider providing charging stations in residential areas Following the request Mayor R Priya announced that the corporation would establish charging stations in more than 15 locations across Chennai as part of a broader plan to support sustainable urban transport Officials said the EV charging stations would be developed alongside parking facilities under a revamped Smart Parking Management System which is being implemented through a publicprivate partnership model Integrating EV charging with designated parking areas is expected to optimise space usage and improve accessibility for motorists The civic body is likely to begin work on the project by the end of the year marking another step in Chennaiâs push towards cleaner and more sustainable transportation infrastructure IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/chennai-plans-ev-charging-stations-to-boost-electric-mobility-665233.html Sun, 15 Mar 2026 08:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/air-india-group-to-operate-72-west-asia-flights-amid-geopolitical-tensions-665236.html New Delhi March 15 Air India and Air India Express are scheduled to operate combined 72 scheduled and nonscheduled flights to and from the West Asia region on Sunday amid the geopolitical tensions Both carriers will continue operating their respective scheduled services to and from Jeddah and Muscat on March 15 including a total of 8 flights between India and Jeddah âOf these Air India will operate one return service each from Delhi and Mumbai while Air India Express will also operate one flight each from Bengaluru and Kozhikodeâ said the airlineAir India Express will also operate 12 scheduled flights to and from Muscat with services from Delhi Kochi Kozhikode Mangaluru Mumbai and ThiruvananthapuramIn addition Air India and Air India Express would operate a total of 52 nonscheduled flights to and from the United Arab Emirates UAE and Saudi Arabia subject to availability of slots and other prevailing conditions at the departure stations at the time According to the airline these flights are being operated with the requisite permissions from the relevant Indian and local regulatory authoritiesâAir India group is exploring every opportunity to operate other additional adhoc flights to and from destinations in West Asiaâ it addedMeanwhile after Air India and IndiGo Akasa Air has introduced a fuel surcharge on its flights following a rise in aviation turbine fuel ATF prices amid evolving geopolitical developments in the Middle EastThe airline said the surcharge will range from Rs 199 to Rs 1300 across its domestic and international routesIndiGo earlier announced a fuel surcharge on both domestic and international flight tickets starting March 14 In a statement the airline said the surcharge will range between Rs 425 and Rs 2300 depending on the routeAir India and Air India Express also announced the introduction of a fuel surcharge on flight tickets According to the airline group a fuel surcharge of Rs 399 per ticket on domestic flights came into effect from March 12 IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/air-india-group-to-operate-72-west-asia-flights-amid-geopolitical-tensions-665236.html Sun, 15 Mar 2026 09:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/phygital-service-centre-to-bring-healthcare-education-and-e-governance-to-villages-scindia-665283.html New Delhi March 15 Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia on Sunday said that the newly launched Integrated Phygital Service Centre will help realise the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deliver healthcare education agriculture financial and egovernance services to people living in rural and remote areas The minister inaugurated the Samriddhi Kendra an integrated âphygitalâ physical plus digital service centre at Umri village in the Guna district under the Samriddh Gram Phygital Services Pilot Initiative of the Department of TelecommunicationsThe initiative uses highspeed broadband connectivity created under BharatNet to convert digital infrastructure into a platform for delivering citizencentric services in rural IndiaThe Samriddhi Kendra has been designed as a singlewindow service hub where villagers can access multiple facilities including healthcare education skill development agriculture support financial services and egovernance assistance at one locationSpeaking at the launch event Scindia said that the initiative aims to bring new opportunities directly to villages by combining technology with essential public servicesâFarmers will be able to access realtime insights on soil moisture nutrients and crop health through digital tools making agriculture smarter and more productiveâ he statedâEssential government services from certificates to ebanking will now be available within the Samriddh Gram itself This is truly a programme of the future one that ensures progress reaches every village and every citizenâ Scindia explainedThe minister added that healthcare services will become faster and more accessible with facilities such as onsite diagnostics and teleconsultations with doctors from cities like Delhi and other statesâBlood test reports will be produced in less than 30 minutesâ the Union Minister notedThe Samriddhi Kendra also enables villagers to access essential government services such as certificates digital documentation and ebanking facilities locallyâThe initiative represents the next stage of Indiaâs digital transformation where the focus is shifting from simply providing connectivity to ensuring that it is used to improve the quality of life in rural areasâ Scindia said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/phygital-service-centre-to-bring-healthcare-education-and-e-governance-to-villages-scindia-665283.html Sun, 15 Mar 2026 17:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-remains-fastest-growing-major-economy-domestic-investors-power-market-resilience-665209.html New Delhi March 14 Indiaâs economy continues to outperform major global peers with strong growth momentum and a structural transformation underway in its capital markets After recording GDP growth of 65 per cent in FY2425 the countryâs economy expanded by 78 per cent in the first quarter of FY202526 according to the IMFAt a time when several large economies are slowing and revising their forecasts downward amid policy uncertainties India is accelerating The IMF currently positions India as the fastestgrowing major economy globally ahead of China whose growth is projected at 48 per centMoreover the International Monetary Fund IMF has projected real GDP growth of 66 per cent for the full year even under the assumption of prolonged tariff measures by the United States according to reportsEarlier this month the IMF said India is expected to contribute as much as 17 per cent to global real GDP growth in 2026 as it continues to remain the worldâs fastestgrowing major economyAmong the other countries in the IMFâs top 10 list the United States is expected to contribute 99 per cent to global real GDP growth followed by Indonesia with 38 per cent Turkey at 22 per cent Saudi Arabia at 17 per cent Vietnam at 16 per cent while both Nigeria and Brazil are projected to contribute 15 per cent eachThe countryâs macroeconomic strength is also reflected in structural changes taking place within its capital marketsMeanwhile the domestic mutual fund industry added about Rs 14 lakh crore to its asset base in 2025 taking the total assets under management AUM to a record Rs 81 lakh crore by NovemberAnnual SIP contributions reached an alltime high of Rs 334 lakh crore in 2025 up from Rs 268 lakh crore in 2024 and Rs 184 lakh crore in 2023Historically Indian equity markets were largely influenced by foreign capital flows However rising domestic participation has begun to reshape market dynamicsDespite the recent surge in participation only around 15â20 per cent of Indian households currently invest in equities and mutual funds compared with 50â60 per cent participation levels in the United States indicating significant scope for further domestic market expansion IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-remains-fastest-growing-major-economy-domestic-investors-power-market-resilience-665209.html Sat, 14 Mar 2026 15:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/centre-seizes-illegal-synthetic-drugs-worth-rs-47-crore-and-35-tonne-chemicals-2-held-665050.html New Delhi March 13 The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence DRI has busted a clandestine facility engaged in the production of Alprazolam a psychotropic substance regulated under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances NDPS Act 1985 in the Kondapalli Industrial Development Area of NTR district in Andhra Pradesh the Finance Ministry said on Friday Searches at the premises led to the seizure of 237 kg of Alprazolam estimated to have a market value of around Rs 47 crore the ministry said in a statementThe intelligencedriven operation codenamed âOperation White Hammerâ conducted and uncovered a fully functional industrial setup allegedly manufacturing Alprazolam under the cover of a chemical manufacturing unitThe ministry also said that officials recovered more than 800 kg of key raw materials 2860 litres of various chemicals and industrialscale equipment including reactors driers and a centrifuge indicating the existence of an organised and largescale clandestine drug manufacturing facilityPreliminary investigations revealed that the operation was allegedly orchestrated by a chemist with over 20 years of experience in the chemical and pharmaceutical sector who was working in collusion with an associate responsible for arranging raw materials and handling distribution networks in HyderabadAccording to officials the accused had rented the factory premises to carry out the illegal manufacturing of AlprazolamBoth alleged masterminds have been arrested and further investigation is underwayOfficials said that during the current fiscal the DRI has dismantled eight clandestine drug manufacturing units through intelligencebased operationsâDuring the current financial year DRI has dismantled eight clandestine drug manufacturing units through intelligencebased operations reaffirming its firm commitment to the Governmentâs Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan and to safeguarding society and people from the menace of narcotic and psychotropic substancesâ they addedEarlier in February the Assam Rifles and the DRI in a joint operation seized highly addictive methamphetamine tablets valued at over Rs 45 crore and arrested a drug peddler in Tripura IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/centre-seizes-illegal-synthetic-drugs-worth-rs-47-crore-and-35-tonne-chemicals-2-held-665050.html Fri, 13 Mar 2026 15:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-listed-reit-market-sees-multifold-growth-post-covid-to-rs-172-lakh-crore-report-665059.html New Delhi March 13 Domesticlisted Real Estate Investment Trust REIT market has expanded more than sixfold since FY20 a pandemic year growing from Rs 27100 crore in 201920 to Rs 172 lakh crore in the first nine months of FY26 a report said on Friday As per the CBRE report the sharp growth comes after the listing of the countryâs first REIT in FY20 and has been driven by new listings as well as steady unit price appreciation among existing REITsFrom the total listed REITs four of them recorded more than 20 per cent yearonyear YoY unit price growth between Q3 FY25 and Q3 FY26âIndiaâs REIT market has delivered consistent returns to investors through a volatile global cycleâ said Anshuman Magazine Chairman and CEO for India SouthEast Asia the Middle East and Africa at CBREThe report also highlighted that three regulatory changes expected to support wider adoption of REITs in 2026 and beyondThe Securities and Exchange Board of Indiaâs SEBI decision to reclassify REITs as equityrelated instruments from January is expected to improve liquidity by enabling broader participation from mutual funds and specialised investment funds that were earlier restricted by hybrid investment limits it saidThe report also pointed out that the sector may also benefit from the Reserve Bank of Indiaâs proposal to allow commercial banks to lend directly to REITs which would align the framework with infrastructure investment trusts InvITsFurther the Union Budget 202627 has outlined plans to monetise Central Public Sector Enterprise CPSE assets through dedicated REIT structures potentially unlocking value from stateowned commercial real estate and offering investors access to sovereignbacked assetsCBRE India Research has estimated that Indiaâs SM REIT market could exceed 75 billion supported by more than 500 million square feet of eligible office logistics and retail assetsAccording to CBRE the office sector REIT is the most preferred segment for capital allocation with about 42 per cent of Indiabased respondents indicating willingness to investCurrently five REITs are listed on Indian stock exchanges â the BSE and the NSE IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-listed-reit-market-sees-multifold-growth-post-covid-to-rs-172-lakh-crore-report-665059.html Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/foreign-net-selling-of-s-korean-stocks-hits-record-high-in-feb-bok-664842.html Seoul March 12 Foreign investment in the South Korean stock market recorded its largest ever monthly net outflow in February amid growing caution over a potential artificial intelligence AI bubble and profittaking central bank data showed on Thursday Offshore investors sold a net 135 billion worth of local equities last month following 500 million worth of net selling in January according to the data from the Bank of Korea BOK reports Yonhap news agencyThe February figure marked an alltime monthly high surpassing the previous record of 1104 billion set in March 2020In the bond market foreign investors bought 574 billion worth of bonds in February compared with purchases of 244 billion a month earlierTaken together foreigners sold a net 776 billion worth of local securities last month reversing from a net purchase of 239 billion in JanuaryThe February figure marked the secondlargest monthly net outflow since July 2008 when the figure reached a record 897 billionEquity funds posted the largest monthly net outflow amid growing caution over AIrelated investments and profittaking following recent gains in local stock prices said Kim Boseok chief of the BOKs international financial trends teamLarger net inflows into bond funds were supported by bargain hunting amid rising market interest rates and solid investment demand particularly from the private sectorMeanwhile the science ministry of South Korea said Thursday it has selected around 4600 individual science researchers to revitalise basic science research activities that had been drastically curtailed under the previous administrationThe Ministry of Science and ICT said it has selected 4628 researchers to carry out individual projects under a government funding programme for the first half of 2026 marking a 25 per cent increase from the previous yearThe ministry will allocate 643 billion won 435 million for the new projects IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/foreign-net-selling-of-s-korean-stocks-hits-record-high-in-feb-bok-664842.html Thu, 12 Mar 2026 09:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/experts-call-for-easing-pressure-on-domestic-lpg-demand-as-induction-cooker-makers-shares-rise-664782.html Mumbai March 11 Shares of home appliance makers traded higher on Wednesday as ecommerce platforms witnessed a surge in purchases of electric stoves and induction cooktops amid the Middle East conflict over reports of potential LPG shortages Moreover quick commerce platforms were selling Inductions stoves at discounts of more than 50 per centButterfly Gandhimathi Appliances shares climbed about 4 per cent to Rs 6305 hitting an intraday high in early trade on the BSE Meanwhile shares of VGuard Industries logged an intraday high of Rs 326 up 3 per cent from the previous close on the same exchangeThe sharpest surge came from major induction cooktop producers Stocks of Stove Kraft and TTK Prestige rose more than 10 per centThe âPigeonâ parent firmâs stock jumped 732 per cent to Rs 52355 on the BSE while shares of Prestige induction cooktop maker TTK Prestige surged 1463 per cent to Rs 556Meanwhile industry experts said that urban households should be encouraged and incentivised to cook with electric induction stoves amid the LPG crisisAbhishek Kar Fellow CEEW said India imports about twothirds of its LPG with more than 90 per cent coming from countries in West Asia such as the UAE Qatar and Saudi ArabiaInvoking the Essential Commodities Act to ensure that LPG supply is prioritised for domestic cooking is an important first step The government should now emulate the âGive It Upâ campaign for LPG subsidy with a new âGive It Upâ campaign on LPG use targeted at households that have or can afford electric induction stoves This would ease the pressure on domestic LPG demand Kar suggestedUrban households should be encouraged and incentivised to cook with electric induction stoves he mentionedAdditionally the National Restaurant Association of India NRAI on Tuesday urged its membersto reduce LPG consumption by focusing on menus that require lower gas usage or shorter cooking cycles and also look at electric gadgets as alternatives for cooking wherever feasibleThe ongoing geopolitical developments have led to severe disruption in the supply chain of commercial LPG If the situation escalates further and availability tightens significantly the restaurant industry may face serious operational challenges the NRAI said in an advisory to restaurant owners across the countryIn order to safeguard business continuity employment and the stability of our sector NRAI urges all members to immediately adopt these fuel conservation and operational continuity measures the advisory said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/experts-call-for-easing-pressure-on-domestic-lpg-demand-as-induction-cooker-makers-shares-rise-664782.html Wed, 11 Mar 2026 12:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/govt-invokes-essential-commodities-act-to-ensure-uninterrupted-lpg-supply-664691.html New Delhi March 10 As hotels and restaurants report commercial LPG shortage the government has invoked the Essential Commodities EC Act to ensure the uninterrupted supply of domestic cooking gas directing refineries and petrochemical units to maximise the production of LPG The EC Act has been invoked to ensure divert key hydrocarbon streams to the LPG poolAuthorities have also asked these facilities to divert key hydrocarbon streams to the LPG pool in order to boost availability and stabilise supplies for household consumptionThe government has also issued the Natural Gas Supply Regulation Order 2026 to regulate the production and sectorwise allocation of natural gas including LNG and regasified LNG ensuring priority supply to critical sectors Under the order priority will be given to sectors such as domestic PNG supply CNG for transport LPG production pipeline compressor fuel requirements fertiliser plants tea industries and other key industrial consumers Moreover the government has tasked GAIL in coordination with the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell PPAC with implementing the natural gas supply regulation and ensuring adherence to the sectorwise allocation frameworkIn the meantime the government has increased the minimum waiting period for booking a domestic LPG cylinder refill from 21 days to 25 days to prevent hoarding as there were signs of panic buying taking place in the market amid the uncertainties due to the Iran warOfficials said that there is a sufficient supply of LPG available in the country and the booking time for LPG cylinders has been increased as a measure to manage inventory effectivelyThe step has been taken as there was a surge in demand of 15 to 20 per cent due to panic booking due to fears that supply would be disrupted because of the escalating war in the Middle EastAverage households consume 78 LPG cylinders of 142 kg in a year and should normally not need a refill in less than 6 weeks an official pointed outA senior official said that petrol and diesel prices will not be increased for now Oil marketing companies Indian Oil Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum are expected to absorb the current cost pressure for the time being He said the government is closely monitoring global oil markets but there is no immediate plan to raise retail fuel pricesMeanwhile the Parliament was informed on Monday that India currently has a total capacity for storage of crude oil and petroleum products for 74 days which can help to tide over disruptions in case of adverse situations such as geopolitical conflicts IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/govt-invokes-essential-commodities-act-to-ensure-uninterrupted-lpg-supply-664691.html Tue, 10 Mar 2026 14:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/industry-urges-long-term-solutions-for-perishable-product-exporters-amid-geopolitical-tensions-664715.html New Delhi March 10 The Middle East tensions and supply chain disruptions are posing challenges to Indiaâs exports of perishable products such as agricultural produce dairy items and fruits industry said on Tuesday Rising logistics costs and disruptions in key maritime trade routes are creating difficulties for exporters particularly those dealing with timesensitive commoditiesVijay Kalantri Chairman of World Trade Center Mumbai and President of the All India Association of Industries AIAI said Indiaâs exports of agricultural and processed food products are valued at over 50 billion annually while dairy exports are estimated at around 500 millionA significant share of these exports consists of perishable and timesensitive products destined for markets in the Middle East Europe and Asia which depend heavily on stable maritime connectivity he saidHowever recent disruptions in global supply chains and rising freight charges have pushed up logistics costs placing pressure on exporters especially small and mediumsized enterprisesKalantri said delays in shipping could directly affect product quality competitiveness and export margins particularly for commodities such as dairy items fruits vegetables and processed foodIndustry estimates suggested that freight and logistics costs on certain trade routes have increased by about 40 per cent in recent times adding to the challenges faced by exporters of perishable goodsHe also called for longterm measures to support exporters in the agriculture and perishable goods sectorWe appeal to the government to consider targeted support measures such as logistics and freight subsidies for exporters of perishable goods along with interest subsidy on exportrelated financing Kalantri saidThe industry also emphasised the need for timely policy intervention to mitigate the impact of rising logistics costs and ensure that Indiaâs agriculture and perishable exports remain competitive in global markets IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/industry-urges-long-term-solutions-for-perishable-product-exporters-amid-geopolitical-tensions-664715.html Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/seoul-shares-down-8-pc-following-trading-suspension-amid-market-slide-664445.html Seoul March 9 South Korean stocks plummeted around 8 per cent on late Monday morning after the Korea Exchange KRX resumed transactions following a 20minute trading suspension amid extreme volatility triggered by recent USIsraeli strikes on Iran The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index KOSPI moved down 44588 points or 798 percent to 513899 as of 1120 am reports Yonhap news agencyThe KRX activated a circuit breaker at 1031 am after the KOSPI plunged 4528 points or 811 percent to 513207 suspending trading for 20 minutesA circuit breaker is triggered when the index stays 8 per cent below the previous sessions level for one minuteThe KRX issued a circuit breaker Wednesday last week as well when the main index crashed 1206 percent marking the steepest oneday decline since Sept 12 2001 in the aftermath of the Sept 11 terrorist attacks in the United StatesEarlier in the day the main bourse operator activated a sellside sidecar suspending sales for five minutes which is triggered when the KOSPI 200 Futures index moves 5 percent or more for at least one minuteInvestors kept watchful eyes on the global energy price volatility with the US benchmark West Texas Intermediate WTI crude surpassing US100 per barrel Sunday US timeThe market also reacted to weakerthanexpected US jobs data released last week as nonfarm payrolls fell by 92000 in February missing market expectations for a gain of 59000In Seoul oil refiners traded mixed with SK Innovation falling 28 percent while SOil moved up 316 percentTop market cap Samsung Electronics sank 994 percent and SK hynix moved down 1098 percentFinancial shares lost ground as well with KB Financial dipping 57 percent and Shinhan Financial decreasing 468 percentHanwha Aerospace dipped 486 percent and Hanwha Ocean surrendered 395 percentPOSCO International a trading firm moved up 1106 percent as investors were optimistic over the firms energy business portfolioThe Korean won was trading at 14973 won against the US dollar down 209 won from the previous session IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/seoul-shares-down-8-pc-following-trading-suspension-amid-market-slide-664445.html Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/domestic-oil-companies-stocks-tumble-up-to-9-pc-as-crude-crosses-100-a-barrel-664499.html Mumbai March 9 Shares of major stateowned oil marketing companies OMCs traded under pressure on Monday declining up to nearly 9 per cent in early trade as the conflict involving Iran disrupted energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz and rattled global markets Global crude oil prices surged past the 100abarrel markWith this development OMC stocks such as Indian Oil Corporation IOCL Bharat Petroleum Corporation BPCL and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation HPCL slumped up to 867 per cent in early tradeBy 1120 am IOCL shares declined 729 per cent to an intraday low of Rs 15630 from the previous close of Rs 16860 on the BSEMeanwhile BPCL shares fell 843 per cent to an intraday low of Rs 32295 from Rs 35270 on the same exchangeWhile HPCL saw the steepest decline dropping 867 per cent to an intraday low of Rs 37010 from its previous close of Rs 40525 according to BSE dataThese PSU stocks faced selling pressure as crude oil prices nearly touched 110 per barrel after major producers in the Middle East reduced output while the Strait of Hormuz remained effectively closed amid the Iran conflictMeanwhile US President Donald Trump defended the spike in oil prices saying higher crude costs were a temporary consequence of confronting Iranâs nuclear threatâShortterm oil prices which will drop rapidly when the destruction of the Iran nuclear threat is over is a very small price to pay for USA and world safety and peaceâ Trump wrote on the social media platform Truth SocialThe jump marks one of the biggest weekly gains in oil futures trading since the early 1980sThe headline indices were also under pressure with Sensex and Nifty 50 trading in the red down 316 per cent at 7642455 and 307 per cent at 2369780 respectively IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/domestic-oil-companies-stocks-tumble-up-to-9-pc-as-crude-crosses-100-a-barrel-664499.html Mon, 09 Mar 2026 15:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/bharatnet-connects-215-lakh-gram-panchayats-409-lakh-hotspots-expand-rural-digital-connectivity-664337.html New Delhi March 8 Indiaâs massive push to expand optical fibre 5G and digital public infrastructure has connected more than 215 lakh Gram Panchayats through BharatNet the government said on Sunday Optical fibre deployment nationwide rose from 1935 lakh route kilometres in 2019 to 4236 lakh route kilometres in 2025 and 5G connectivity now covers 999 per cent of districts with over 518 lakh base transceiver stations as of December 2025 an official statement saidPrime Minister WiFi Access Network Interface PMâWANI has deployed 409111 WiâFi hotspots supported by 207 PDO Aggregators and 113 App Providers as of February 2026 to provide affordable highspeed public internet connectivity particularly in rural and remote areasIntegrating lastmile access literacy programmes and affordable internet with platforms connecting markets and social schemes strengthens rural livelihoods ensures timely benefit delivery and fosters inclusive participation in Indiaâs digital economy it saidCloud and data centre capacity is also expanding rapidly to support digital governance and AIready infrastructure With a total data centre capacity at about 1280 megawatts it is projected to grow four to five times by 2030 the government forecastedThrough MeghRaj GI Cloud over 2170 ministries and departments are hosting applications on secure scalable government cloud platformsThe government highlighted that data costs have plummeted from Rs 269 per GB in 2014 to roughly Rs 8â10 per GB in 2025â2026 making India one of the worlds cheapest data markets Broadband subscriptions crossed the 100 crore mark in November 2025 recording a sixfold jump from 1315 crore a decade earlierThe National Supercomputing Mission NSM deployed 38 supercomputers with a combined capacity of 44 Petaflops across institutions nationwide By extending advanced computing infrastructure beyond metropolitan hubs HPC ensures equitable access to worldclass resources for universities startups researchers and industry supporting AI climate modelling biotechnology and advanced manufacturingDPI pillars such as Aadhaar Unified Payments Interface UPI and DigiLocker transform mere internet access into tangible social and economic outcomes ensuring seamless service delivery deeper financial inclusion and trusted digital interactions that systematically narrow access gaps and integrate every Indian into the digital economy IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/bharatnet-connects-215-lakh-gram-panchayats-409-lakh-hotspots-expand-rural-digital-connectivity-664337.html Sun, 08 Mar 2026 12:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-has-250-million-barrels-of-crude-petro-products-7-8-weeks-of-buffer-across-supply-chain-664183.html New Delhi March 7 Top government sources on Saturday allayed fears that current global energy situation can become a crisis for India saying that the country currently holds over 250 million barrels around 4000 crore litres of crude and petroleum products providing about 78 weeks of buffer across the supply chain These stocks are not held in a single location or a single form They are distributed across aboveground storage tanks underground strategic caverns pipeline systems terminal tankage offshore storage vessels in transit and the three dedicated strategic petroleum reserve facilities at Mangalore Padur and Visakhapatnam According to official sources India is well stocked with crude oil petrol diesel ATF LPG and LNG with sufficient inventories to handle shortterm disruptions while continuing to source energy from multiple global suppliers âClaims circulating that global oil supplies have stopped or that India has reserves for only 25 days are incorrect and do not reflect the actual supply and stock positionâ the sources addedAccording to them India is in a position of deliberate wellprepared strategic strength built over 12 years of consistent energy policy The buffer is real the supply routes are diversified and the delivery record is unbroken they addedThis is a buffer not a timer It sits on top of not instead of daily imports that continue to arrive through multiple routes Even if Hormuz flows were entirely disrupted Indias diversified sourcing means the impact would be partial not total A predominant volume of Indias crude does not transit Hormuz according to government sourcesOver the last decade Indiaâs strategic oil diplomacy has expanded its supplier base from 27 to 40 countries across six continents The days when Indias energy security rose and fell with conditions in a single maritime chokepoint are over Supply from Russia West Africa the Americas Central Asia and nonGulf Middle Eastern routes means that disruption on any single corridor results in a managed sourcing adjustment not a supply emergency The Strait of Hormuz is not the only route for Indiaâs crude imports Only around 40 per cent of Indiaâs crude imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz while about 60 per cent are routed through other supply routes that remain unaffected This has ensured that there has been no shortage of energy for Indian consumers even during global turmoil or the pandemic said sourcesSeveral countries including Australia and Canada have also offered additional gas supplies and India continues to explore alternative sources to further strengthen energy security India has also recently entered into new energy supply arrangements with partners such as the United States and the United Arab Emirates to ensure stable longterm suppliesIndias refining infrastructure â 258 MMTPA of capacity the fourth largest in the world exceeding total domestic consumption of 210 to 230 MMTPA â is configured to process a wide basket of crude grades Indian refiners do not depend on a fixed slate from a fixed origin This flexibility is itself a security asset and it was built deliberately over the last decade as policy not as an accident according to sourcesIndia is also the fifthlargest exporter of refined petroleum products globally When Europe needed fuel after sanctioning Russian crude it was Indias refineries that bridged the gap India has never depended on permission from any country to buy Russian oil India is still importing Russian oil even in February 2026 and Russia is still Indiaâs largest crude oil supplier For three years of the RussiaUkraine war India kept buying Russian oil despite US and EU objections Imports increased significantly after 2022 due to discounted prices and refinery demand Therefore suggesting a shortterm waiver âenablesâ these purchases overlooks that the trade has continued consistentlyIndia is a net exporter of refined products to the world â a position that reinforces not undermines its energy security said sources IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-has-250-million-barrels-of-crude-petro-products-7-8-weeks-of-buffer-across-supply-chain-664183.html Sat, 07 Mar 2026 09:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/google-hikes-ceo-sundar-pichais-total-pay-to-692-million-for-3-years-report-664197.html New Delhi March 7 Google a whollyowned subsidiary of Alphabet has raised CEO Sundar Pichaiâs total potential compensation to 692 million over the next three years making him one of the highestpaid executives globally the Financial Times reported on Saturday The bulk of the package comes from performance stock units PSUs valued at 126 million split evenly into two tranches the report mentionedThese PSUs are linked to Alphabetâs total shareholder return relative to the SampP 100 and could double to 252 million if performance targets are exceeded or yield nothing if benchmarks are missedMoreover Pichai will receive 84 million in restricted stock vesting monthly over three years alongside an annual salary of 2 million said the reportThe tech giant also introduced new stock incentives totalling up to 350 million tied to the growth of its autonomous venturesThe Google CEO will receive 130 million in Waymo stock and 45 million in Wing Aviation shares both capable of paying out up to 200 per cent of their target value according to the reportAlphabetâs board said the incentives reflect the companyâs confidence in Pichaiâs leadership of Waymo and Wing which it described as âtackling enormous challenges in autonomous driving and deliveryâ under his supervisionSince becoming CEO in August 2015 Pichai has overseen a nearly sevenfold increase in Googleâs market capitalisation from 535 billion to 36 trillion briefly hitting 4 trillion in JanuaryThe Indianborn 53yearold former McKinsey consultant joined Google in 2004 developing Chrome and leading Android before rising to the top roleEarlier this week Pichai sold 32500 Class C shares worth roughly 98 million and he and his wife own 167 million Google shares valued at 498 million at Fridayâs closing price of 298 per share according to reportsIn comparison Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella earned 965 million in fiscal 2025 while Appleâs Tim Cook took home 743 million IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/google-hikes-ceo-sundar-pichais-total-pay-to-692-million-for-3-years-report-664197.html Sat, 07 Mar 2026 11:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/govt-announces-standards-to-boost-trade-of-green-hydrogen-derivatives-664213.html New Delhi March 7 The government on Saturday announced the Green Ammonia and Green Methanol Standards setting clear emission limits and eligibility criteria for production using renewable hydrogen The move issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy MNRE on 27 February aimed to standardise and certify ammonia and methanol produced with minimal greenhouse gas emissionsThe standards bring clarity to industry investors and other stakeholders engaged in the development of green hydrogen derivatives the MNRE addedUnder the new rules Green Ammonia must have total nonbiogenic greenhouse gas emissions of no more than 038 kg COâ equivalent per kg of ammonia averaged over the previous 12 months according to the Ministry of New and Renewable EnergySimilarly Green Methanol production must not exceed 044 kg COâ equivalent per kg with COâ allowed from biogenic sources Direct Air Capture DAC or existing industrial streams the ministry saidThe government also stated that the Ministry may revise the eligible sources of carbon dioxide from time to time with such revisions applying prospectively along with appropriate grandfathering provisionsThe standards also clarify that renewable energy used in production can include electricity stored in energy systems or banked with the grid Detailed methodologies for measurement reporting monitoring verification and certification will be issued separately by MNRETenders or bids issued before the notification may continue under prior terms though procuring entities may choose to align with the new standards with mutual consentâAny tender bid process or solicitation issued prior to the date of notifications may continue to be governed by the terms and conditions applicable at the time of its issuance however the procuring entity may where feasible and with mutual consent of the parties align such tender with the provisions of notificationsâ the government saidThe MNRE also said the move provides clarity to industry and investors supporting the decarbonization of fertilisers shipping power and heavy industry while strengthening Indiaâs position as a reliable producer and exporter of green fuelsâIndian Green Hydrogen developers are targeting export markets for Green Ammonia amp Green Methanol With this notification India further consolidates its regulatory framework for green hydrogen and its derivatives under the National Green Hydrogen Missionâ it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/govt-announces-standards-to-boost-trade-of-green-hydrogen-derivatives-664213.html Sat, 07 Mar 2026 13:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/chinas-commodity-backed-loans-raise-economic-ecological-risks-report-664218.html New Delhi March 7 Chinaâs longstanding resourcebacked lending model in Africa is increasingly coming under criticism from experts and development authorities according to a new report The model which ties loans to future commodity exports such as oil copper and cobalt has been widely used across the continent to finance infrastructure projects but its sustainability is now being questioned Daily Monitor said in its reportThe African Development Bank AfDB has raised concerns over the approach with President Akinwumi Adesina describing the loans as âasymmetricalâ and ânontransparentâ and calling for an end to resourcebacked lending RBLs in African nationsCritics argue that Chinaâs shift from lending to debt extraction is straining national budgets and threatening economic stability according to the reportWhile Chinese financing fuelled an infrastructure boom for over two decades the postCOVID slowdown and reduction in new loans have exposed vulnerabilitiesâTethering repayment to volatile commodity markets has left countries like Venezuela and Angola caught in a âcreditor trapâ forcing higher resource exports to service debtsâ Daily Monitor mentionedThe modelâs structure also encourages corruption and mismanagement as loans are tied to Chinese stateowned contractors through noncompetitive bidding often producing substandard infrastructureExamples include Ecuadorâs Coca Codo dam which failed to deliver the projected economic returnsThe outcomes for African nations vary widely Angola has used its oil revenues to reduce outstanding debt from 102 billion to 89 billion in the first half of 2025 stabilising its debttoGDP ratio around 9 per centIn contrast Kenya struggles under the burden of the Chinesefunded Standard Gauge Railway allocating 1 billion annually from a 33 billion budget to service debt with obligations restructured in Chinese yuan the report saidExperts say Chinaâs resourcebacked debt model once hailed as âpatient capitalâ is evolving into a cycle of economic and ecological vulnerabilityAs easy credit disappears borrowing nations must balance mounting debt against domestic development priorities raising questions about the longterm sustainability and equity of the approach IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/chinas-commodity-backed-loans-raise-economic-ecological-risks-report-664218.html Sat, 07 Mar 2026 14:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/sbi-launches-500-million-social-loan-for-women-empowerment-664222.html New Delhi March 7 Indias largest lender State Bank of India SBI on Saturday launched a 500 million about Rs 4597 crore Syndicated Social Term Loan Facility focused exclusively on women empowerment with a greenshoe option which is a milestone for both the bank and the global ESG financing landscape The PSU bank said the facility is aimed at accelerating social impact by promoting gender equality and supporting initiatives that reduce the gender gapIt contributes to the United Nationsâ Sustainable Development Goal SDG 5 â Achieve Gender Equality and Empower All Women and Girls it saidCS Setty Chairman of SBI said On this International Womenâs Day we are proud to announce this landmark social loan reflecting our deep commitment to fostering womens empowerment as a cornerstone of sustainable developmentâThe SBI chairman also stated that true progress depends not only on economic growth but also on our ability to drive positive social change empower women and build an inclusive society for all stakeholdersThis is the first transaction of its kind by SBI expected to be the largest genderthemed loan globally underscoring Indiaâs growing role in sustainable financeThe loan will support programs and projects promoting gender equality and inclusive economic growth across sectors the bank saidAccording to the bank MUFG has acted as the original Mandated Lead Arranger Underwriter and Bookrunner as well as the sole social loan coordinator for the transactionSBI shares on Friday ended at Rs 113980 down 25 per cent on the NSEThe SBI is one of the largest mortgage lenders in the country which has so far fulfilled the home buying dreams of around 30 lakh Indian families The home loan portfolio of the bank has crossed Rs 9 lakh crore As of December 31 2025 the bank has a deposit base of over Rs 57 lakh crore with CASA ratio of 3913 per cent and advances of more than Rs 468 lakh crore IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/sbi-launches-500-million-social-loan-for-women-empowerment-664222.html Sat, 07 Mar 2026 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-billionaire-count-rises-to-308-ranks-3rd-worldwide-hurun-global-list-664239.html New Delhi March 7 Indiaâs billionaire figures have risen to 308 an increase of 24 from last year which indicates strong wealth creation and sustained economic momentum according to the Hurun Research Instituteâs âHurun Global Rich List 2026â released on Saturday The increase pushed India to the third position globally in terms of the number of billionaires behind the United States and ChinaThe total wealth held by Indian billionaires rose 10 per cent yearonyear to Rs 1126 trillion with 199 individuals seeing an increase in their fortunesHowever 109 billionaires experienced a decline in wealth or saw their net worth remain unchanged Women accounted for 7 per cent of Indiaâs billionaire populationAccording to the Hurun report Indiaâs billionaire class is expanding beyond traditional industries reflecting the broad base of economic growth across sectorsThe healthcare sector produced the largest number of new billionaires with 53 entrants followed by industrial products with 36 and consumer goods with 31 new additionsDespite fewer entrants the energy sector commanded the largest share of wealth generating Rs 183 trillion from just eight billionaires accounting for about 16 per cent of Indiaâs cumulative billionaire wealthMumbai remained Indiaâs top billionaire hub with 95 billionaires although it lost its position as Asiaâs billionaire capital to Shenzhen which now hosts 133 billionaires The Indian financial capital added 15 new billionaires surpassing additions in New York City 14 and London 9Globally New York led the ranking of billionaire cities with 146 billionaires followed by Shanghai with 120 Beijing with 107 and London with 102Indiaâs billionaires are relatively older than the global average with an average age of 67 compared with the global average of 65 the report notedMeanwhile 23 Indian women billionaires together hold a combined wealth of Rs 98 trillion said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-billionaire-count-rises-to-308-ranks-3rd-worldwide-hurun-global-list-664239.html Sat, 07 Mar 2026 16:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/byds-blade-battery-20-can-charge-up-to-50-pc-faster-than-current-evs-664256.html New Delhi March 7 Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD has unveiled its nextgeneration Blade Battery 20 a new EV battery technology that promises a driving range of more than 1000 kilometres along with ultrafast charging and improved safety features According to the company the battery can deliver a driving range of more than 1000 kilometres under the China LightDuty Vehicle Test CycleThis marks a significant improvement compared with the firstgeneration Blade Battery which typically offered a range of about 600 kilometres under similar conditionsOne of the most important features of the new battery is its ultrafast charging capability BYD said its âflash chargingâ system can charge the battery from 10 per cent to 70 per cent in just five minutesA charge from 10 per cent to 97 per cent can be completed in about nine minutes under normal conditions as per the companyThe battery also performs well in extreme weather Even after being exposed to temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius for 24 hours the battery can recharge from 20 per cent to 97 per cent in around 12 minutes according to the companyWang Chuanfu chairman and CEO of BYD said the new battery has been designed to deliver faster charging speeds even in extremely cold environmentsâThe battery uses higher energy density technology enabling longer driving ranges for future electric vehiclesâ he addedThe company said vehicles equipped with the Blade Battery 20 can recharge between 30 per cent and 50 per cent faster than most current electric vehiclesWang explained that charging to 97 per cent is recommended so that the remaining battery capacity can be used through regenerative braking while drivingSafety remains a key focus of the Blade Battery design BYD said the battery has passed rigorous safety tests including nail penetration and bottom impact tests and meets safety standards that exceed Chinaâs latest national requirementsThe first vehicle expected to use the new battery will be the Yangwang U7 a luxury electric sedan from BYDâs premium brand YangwangAccording to product director Zheng Yu the car will deliver a pure electric range of around 1006 kilometres under CLTC conditions when equipped with a 150 kWh battery pack IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/byds-blade-battery-20-can-charge-up-to-50-pc-faster-than-current-evs-664256.html Sat, 07 Mar 2026 17:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/psbs-record-multifold-growth-against-private-lenders-in-online-credit-card-transactions-report-664101.html New Delhi March 6 Credit card spending in India rose 81 per cent yearonyear YoY to Rs 205 lakh crore in January 2026 driven by momentum in ecommerce transactions a report showed on Friday The report by CareEdge Ratings also said that public sector banks PSBs registered a 71 per cent YoY growth in outstanding cards a significant jump compared to private banksIn terms of transactions digital payments continued to dominate credit card usage with ecommerce accounting for over 61 per cent of total transactionsâOnline transactions grew 73 per cent YoY with PSBs registering a sharp 315 per cent increase significantly outpacing the 27 per cent growth recorded by private banksâ the report saidHowever much of the growth came from the SBI group whose card base expanded 7 per cent to 219 crore the report highlightedIn contrast foreign banks saw a contraction of around 6 per cent in outstanding cards as they maintained a cautious expansion strategy focused on premium customers according to the reportHowever it also flagged that overall growth showed signs of moderation after the yearend surge in discretionary purchasesOn a monthonmonth MoM basis spending declined 23 per centThe report also pointed out that the annual growth rate was lower than the 138 per cent expansion recorded in January 2025 due to a high base effectâThe total number of outstanding credit cards grew from 109 crore in January 2025 to 117 crore in January 2026â the report said suggesting a 71 per cent YoY rise and a 08 per cent increase compared with the previous monthMeanwhile total outstanding credit card balances stood at Rs 295 lakh crore in January 2026Private sector banks PVBs continued to lead card issuance with 76 per cent annual growth supported by strong distribution networks and cobranded partnerships with ecommerce and fintech platforms âWithin this group smaller and midsized private lenders accounted for a significant portion of new card additionsâ CareEdge Ratings statedOverall credit card spending during FY26 so far has risen nearly 13 per cent YoY to Rs 197 lakh crore the report highlighted IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/psbs-record-multifold-growth-against-private-lenders-in-online-credit-card-transactions-report-664101.html Fri, 06 Mar 2026 14:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/uranium-deal-with-canada-to-propel-indias-big-push-for-nuclear-energy-664102.html New Delhi March 6 The Narendra Modi governmentâs sealing of the 26 billion deal for the longterm supply of uranium from Canada is seen by global analysts as a crucial step in Indiaâs ambitious push for achieving 100 gigawatts of nuclear capacity by 2047 Indiaâs domestic production is expected to fall short of projected needs making longterm import arrangements essential according to a report in South China Morning PostThe report cites experts as saying that Indiaâs domestic uranium production is likely to be well below total demand implying continued and growing reliance on imports to fuel both existing and future reactors Considering this gap a longdated CanadaIndia supply agreement would be strategically importantKazakhstan the worldâs largest uranium producer has been Indiaâs primary supplier in recent years the Canada deal will now open up another sources for this vital fuel to power the countryâs nuclear reactors The report also points out that Indiaâs Parliament approved an overhaul of the countryâs civilian nuclear energy framework in December 2025 allowing domestic and foreign companies to build own and operate nuclear power plants for the first time â dismantling a state monopolyThe reform removed longstanding supplier liability concerns and established a more predictable regulatory environment clearing the way for the foreign technology partners and private capital that Indiaâs expansion will requireCanada is well placed to deliver the uranium as a string of new mining projects already in development means the countryâs uranium output is set to grow well into the future giving Delhi confidence that the agreement will deliver fuel in he long run the article cites an analyst as sayingPM Modi termed the agreement on uranium with Canada as a âlandmark dealâ and said the two countries would work together on small modular reactors advanced reactors and âthe nuclear value chainâ Carney said Canada had the capability to contribute to Indiaâs nuclear energy needs and confirmed the two sides were launching a strategic energy partnershipThe two leaders welcomed the conclusion of a CAD 26 billion commercial agreement between Cameco and the Department of Atomic Energy for the longterm supply of uranium contributing to Indiaâs civil nuclear energy generation clean energy transition objectives and longterm energy security according to a joint statement issued after the summitRecognising their complementary strengths as energy powers the leaders agreed to advance the IndiaCanada Strategic Energy Partnership aimed at deepening longterm cooperation across the energy value chain They underscored the shared commitment to enhancing collaboration across clean energy conventional energy civil nuclear energy and critical minerals to promote affordability sustainability and economic growth according to a joint statement issued after the summit IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/uranium-deal-with-canada-to-propel-indias-big-push-for-nuclear-energy-664102.html Fri, 06 Mar 2026 14:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/iit-bombay-backed-incubator-sine-to-fetch-rs-55-crore-in-sedemac-mechatronics-ipo-664117.html New Delhi March 6 Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship SINE the IIT Bombaybacked broadspectrum technology business incubator is selling about 4 lakh shares in the SEDEMAC Mechatronics initial public offering IPO according to the filings The companyâs red herring prospectus RHP has highlighted that SINE will offload 408000 equity sharesOn a preoffer paidup equity share capital basis this represents 092 per cent indicating that the incubator is expected to earn roughly Rs 55 crore from the saleThe public issue of the Punebased technology company which opened on March 4 is scheduled to close on Friday March 6According to BSE data the IPO was fully booked on its last share sale offer receiving bids for 9449242 shares against 5632899 shares on offer suggesting a 168âtimes subscription by 218 pmThe tech firm has fixed the IPO price band between Rs 1287 and Rs 1352 per share valuing the company at nearly Rs 6000 crore at the upper end It is entirely an offer for sale OFS of up to 8043300 equity shares by promoters Manish Sharma and Ashwini Amit Dixit along with other investors selling shareholdersPunebased SEDEMAC Mechatronics develops designs and manufactures controlintensive applicationcritical electronic control units ECUs for original equipment manufacturers OEMs in mobility and industrial sectors across India the US and Europe The company specialises in sensorless commutationbased integrated starter generator ECUs for two and threewheeler internal combustion engine vehiclesIts key customers include TVS Motor Company Bajaj Auto Kirloskar Oil Engines Briggs amp Stratton LLC and DEIF IndiaOn the financial front SEDEMAC reported revenue of Rs 21735 crore and a net profit of Rs 1707 crore for the quarter ended June 30 2025 In FY25 it posted revenue of Rs 65836 crore and PAT of Rs 4704 croreShares of SEDEMAC Mechatronics Ltd are expected to make their Dalal Street debut on March 11The IPO allocation comprises 50 per cent for qualified institutional buyers QIBs 35 per cent for retail investors and 15 per cent for noninstitutional investors NIIs ICICI Securities Avendus Capital and Axis Capital are the bookrunning lead managers IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/iit-bombay-backed-incubator-sine-to-fetch-rs-55-crore-in-sedemac-mechatronics-ipo-664117.html Fri, 06 Mar 2026 16:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/nearly-69-pc-of-indias-lng-imports-linked-to-strait-of-hormuz-report-664132.html New Delhi March 6 Nearly 69 per cent of domestic liquefied natural gas LNG imports in 2025 or 175 million tonnes 63 mmscmd came from West Asian countries such as Qatar the UAE and Oman passing through or near the Strait of Hormuz a report said on Friday Even after adjusting for GAILâs US LNG swap volumes effective exposure moderates to 66 per cent which means concentration risk remains significant Elara Capital analysts said in the reportThe report noted that any disruption in the Hormuz corridor would likely affect the sector sequentially from terminal utilisation to transmission throughput and downstream industrial marginsTerminallevel exposure is highest at Petronet LNGâs Dahej terminal which handled 148 million tonnes in 2025 with 76 per cent of volumes sourced via the StraitSmaller terminals such as Kochi and Chhara are fully dependent on the Middle East while Mundra 88 per cent Dhamra 65 per cent and Ennore 62 per cent also face elevated risk the brokerage said Hazira 25 per cent and Dabhol 0 per cent benefit from LNG sourced from the US Russia and AustraliaPLNG and Gujarat State Petronet were highlighted as the most vulnerable to supply shocksPLNGâs 77 per cent exposure to the Strait directly affects regasification revenue the company has issued force majeure notices to GAIL IOCL and BPCL citing disruptions at Ras Laffan Qatar GUJS with 62 per cent of its CY25 transmission volume reliant on the Strait faces similar risksGujarat Gas Ltd GGL is exposed on both margins and volumes with LNG forming 73 per cent of its supply primarily serving the Morbi industrial clusterWith 48 per cent dependency on the Strait rising spot LNG prices could erode GGLs competitiveness against alternative fuels such as propane said the reportMoreover the company has issued force majeure notices to industrial customers and will curtail supply effective March 6 2026 and may reduce Daily Contracted Quantities DCQ to industrial clients the brokerage saidGAILâs marketing segment with only 16 per cent exposure is the most resilient supported by diversified contracts from the US Russia and Australia The actual dependency is estimated at 30 per cent according to the brokerage IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/nearly-69-pc-of-indias-lng-imports-linked-to-strait-of-hormuz-report-664132.html Fri, 06 Mar 2026 18:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/women-at-gujarat-biotechnology-university-drive-scientific-research-664147.html Gandhinagar March 6 Female students and faculty at Gujarat Biotechnology University GBU are making significant contributions to scientific research reflecting the growing role of women in Indiaâs science and technology sector The university has supported women researchers through its Women Development Cell WDC established in 2023 which provides counselling an Internal Complaints Committee and oncampus childcare facilities for working mothersâWhen a woman is in the laboratory she is shaping the future of society the officials statedGBU women are conducting research across areas including cardiovascular disease cancer environmental science and plant geneticsFaculty achievements include Dr Surya Ramachandran recipient of the Prof Indira Parikh â 50 Women in Education Leaders Award and the Exemplary Services Award in Cardiovascular Science from IACS India Dr Kanti Kiran selected for the IndoGerman WISER Grant Dr Rohini Nair who received over Rs 1 crore from the Gates Foundation for research on heavy menstrual bleeding and Dr Nisha Singh with over 80 publications and three patents awarded the SERB Women Excellence Award 2024 and the INSA Medal for Young ScientistsStudent achievements have also been notable The first MSc batch of 2025 saw four out of five students in the Biotechnology department receive gold medalsFifty students received Rs 25 lakh each under the Student Startup and Innovation Policy SSIP for independent research projectsStudent teams led by Kalyani Vikhani and Sanskriti won top honours at the BIOQUEST Hackathon and WAAH Science Laureate Awards for work on mRNA therapySeveral students have qualified for DBTJRF and CSIRUGC JRF fellowships and have been selected for advanced research at the University of Edinburgh in the UKGBU will celebrate International Womenâs Day on March 9 with a lecture on âInnovation and Entrepreneurshipâ by Dr Deepanwita Chattopadhyay of IKP Knowledge Park HyderabadOfficials further added âWomen empowerment at GBU is not just about equality it is about driving the next wave of scientific innovation Achievements at global platforms such as NBEC and IIT Bombayâs GENVISION 2025 reflect this visionâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/women-at-gujarat-biotechnology-university-drive-scientific-research-664147.html Fri, 06 Mar 2026 19:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/76-pc-rural-women-confident-managing-finances-against-67-pc-hnw-peers-report-664150.html New Delhi March 6 Women from rural regions in India are more confident in managing finances compared with highnetworth HNW women according to a report released on Friday The report by DBS Bank found that financial decisionmaking among women in India is increasing particularly among female entrepreneursAccording to the report 76 per cent of rural women earners feel confident managing finances compared with 67 per cent of HNW women and 58 per cent of female entrepreneursHowever the report noted that women who do not make financial decisions independently often rely on spouses or partners for financial adviceAmong female entrepreneurs 69 per cent act as primary financial decisionmakers compared with 60 per cent of rural women earners and 58 per cent of HNW womenâConfidence in managing finances also tends to increase with age particularly among entrepreneurs and HNW womenâ it saidBeyond access to capital female entrepreneurs value peer advisory 44 per cent sectorspecific mentorship 40 per cent investor connections 33 per cent and guidance on government schemes 22 per centDivyesh Dalal Managing Director and Country Head Global Transaction Services DBS Bank India said âWhile access to credit remains important entrepreneurs increasingly seek holistic support mentors networks and investor linkages to scale their businessesâIn terms of life goals HNW women 64 per cent and entrepreneurs 73 per cent prioritise property ownership while 73 per cent of rural women focus on childrenâs education the DBS Bank report saidOn bank engagement and digital adoption entrepreneurs prefer digital channels 44 per cent and UPI 84 per cent while rural women favour inperson banking 47 per cent and face barriers such as unfamiliarity with apps 44 per cent and connectivity issues 31 per centRegarding career breaks and retirement 46 per cent of women entrepreneurs take career breaks for family or personal reasons About 39 per cent plan to retire after the age of 50 while 20 per cent expect to never fully retireWhile HNW women and rural women show similar trends in retirement expectations the report added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/76-pc-rural-women-confident-managing-finances-against-67-pc-hnw-peers-report-664150.html Fri, 06 Mar 2026 19:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indian-railways-freight-revenue-rises-by-3-pc-to-rs-14-572-crore-in-feb-664153.html New Delhi March 6 Indian Railwaysâ freight revenue rose 297 per cent yearonyear to Rs 1457199 crore in February the government said on Friday In the corresponding month last year freight revenue stood at Rs 1415196 croreAccording to Railways Ministry freight loading increased 396 per cent YoY to 13772 million tonnes MT during the month compared with 13248 MT in February last yearWhile transport output measured by Net Tonne Kilometres NTKM rose 418 per cent to 76007 million NTKM in February 2026 from 72955 million NTKM a year earlierMoreover freight traffic during the month was driven largely by core commodities such as coal iron ore finished steel fertilisers cement and container cargo the official statement saidIn daily freight loading Iron ore loading rose to 0675 MT from 0529 MT up 276 per cent while pig iron and finished steel increased to 0343 MT from 0284 MT up 208 per centThe government also noted that loading of raw materials for steel plants excluding iron ore grew to 0141 MT from 0096 MT a 469 per cent increaseFertiliser loading rose 102 per cent to 0184 MT while mineral oil and container EXIM traffic increased 178 per cent each according to the ministryMonthly cumulative data also showed strong growth across key commoditiesRegarding container traffic EXIM cargo climbed by 56 per cent and domestic container traffic increased 23 per cent during the monthBetween April 2025 and February 2026 Indian Railways carried 15038 MT of freight up 328 per cent from 145607 MT in the corresponding period last yearFreight revenue during the period stood at Rs 161 lakh crore while freight movement measured by NTKM rose 162 per cent to 840000 million NTKM according to the government IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indian-railways-freight-revenue-rises-by-3-pc-to-rs-14-572-crore-in-feb-664153.html Fri, 06 Mar 2026 21:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/oil-prices-cross-83-per-barrel-as-middle-east-tensions-escalate-663922.html New Delhi March 5 Amid escalating Middle East tensions crude oil prices went up more than 2 per cent on Thursday over supply constraints as Strait of Hormuz was closed by Iran In the early morning trade the April contract of the benchmark crude on the Intercontinental Exchange was trading at 8326 per barrel up by almost 243 per cent from its previous close The April contract of West Texas Intermediate on the NYMEX went up 263 per cent to 7663 per barrelAccording to reports a container ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz was struck by a projectile damaging the vesselA continuous increase in oil prices would impact Indiaâs import bill An increase of 1 per barrel of oil for an entire year increases import bill by around Rs 16000 croreMeanwhile India is in a reasonably comfortable position as far as crude oil LPG and LNG are concerned with a stock of 25 days of reserve for crude and 25 days of products including the quantity that is in transit on ships headed for the countryâs ports according to government sources India imports over 85 per cent of its crude oil requirement of which around 50 per cent is supplied by Middle Eastern countries through the Strait of Hormuz flows from which have been disrupted following the Iran warHowever India has diversified its oil sources by increasing imports from Africa Russia as well as the US and building resilience through strategic reservesIndia has strengthened its energy security by diversifying its oil imports to countries outside the Gulf in the past few years and a large volume of supplies do not come through the Strait of Hormuz nowThe country spent 137 billion on crude oil imports in the financial year ended March 31 2025 During April 2025 to January 2026 first ten months of the current financial year as much as 1004 billion was spent on the import of 2063 million tonnes of crude oil IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/oil-prices-cross-83-per-barrel-as-middle-east-tensions-escalate-663922.html Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/kumaraswamy-holds-fkcci-talks-to-boost-ev-sector-seeks-arai-testing-centre-663841.html Bengaluru March 4 Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy on Wednesday held a key meeting with officebearers and industrialists of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry FKCCI to discuss the promotion of the electric vehicle EV industry in Karnataka and the creation of supporting infrastructure in the stateâ The meeting was held at the ministerâs office in HMT Bhavan in the city where detailed discussions took place on the vast opportunities to expand the EV sector in KarnatakaâKumaraswamy informed the gathering that a decision has already been taken to establish a worldclass Automotive Research Association of India ARAI testing centre in Mandya district at a cost of Rs 500 crore âHe said he had personally written to the Chief Minister of Karnataka seeking the state governmentâs cooperation and expressed hope for a positive responseHe added that Rs 500 crore has been allocated in the previous Union Budget for the centrally owned testing facility and that the Centre is prepared to invest an additional Rs 500 crore if requiredâIndustrialists at the meeting congratulated the minister on the initiative stating that such a centre is essential for the state and would significantly strengthen the automobile sector particularly providing a major boost to the EV industryâThe minister said the development of the EV sector in Karnataka would focus on research manufacturing and employment generation âHe noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has a firm commitment to reducing carbon emissions in the transport sector to nearzero levels and building an environmentally sustainable transport system ââWe are working towards realising his visionâ Kumaraswamy saidâHe observed that while companies are being established in Karnataka manufacturing activities are often shifting to other states ââWe must bring Karnataka out of this situation The ARAI centre will make a significant contribution in this directionâ he said adding that the establishment of an automobile testing centre would open up further opportunities for research and production in the coming yearsâEmphasising the Prime Ministerâs vision of generating more local employment Kumaraswamy said the Centre is extending largescale support under the Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives âHe stated that the proposed ARAI testing centre would not only create thousands of direct jobs but also generate substantial indirect employment and lay the foundation for a robust automotive ecosystem in the state âHe said the Centre has sought the Karnataka governments cooperation for the projectâThe minister also highlighted that the Central government is encouraging skill development in the EV sector in Karnataka âBy creating a modern and comprehensive EV ecosystem the state can unlock significant opportunities in economic growth employment and manufacturing he saidâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/kumaraswamy-holds-fkcci-talks-to-boost-ev-sector-seeks-arai-testing-centre-663841.html Wed, 04 Mar 2026 18:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/elon-musks-x-cracks-down-on-undisclosed-ai-war-videos-warns-creators-of-90-day-revenue-ban-663846.html New Delhi March 4 Elon Muskowned social media platform X on Wednesday announced major changes to its creator revenuesharing programme as it steps up efforts to control the spread of AIgenerated content especially during times of conflict The move comes as the platform faces rising concerns over misinformation amid the ongoing tensions involving the United States Israel and IranIn a post Xâs Product Head Nikita Bier said the company is revising its Creator Revenue Sharing policies to ensure that authentic information remains accessible particularly during wartimeHe said that with the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence tools it has become very easy to create realistic videos that can mislead peopleâLast night we found a guy in Pakistan that was managing 31 accounts posting AI war videos All were hacked and the usernames were changed on Feb 27 to âIran War Monitorâ or some derivativeâ Bier saidâWe are getting much faster at detecting thisâand also eliminating the incentive to do thisâ he addedUnder the new rules users who post AIgenerated videos of an armed conflict without clearly disclosing that the content was made using AI will be suspended from the revenuesharing programme for 90 daysBier said repeated violations will lead to a permanent suspension from the programme He added that such posts could be identified through Community Notes or metadata and other signals from generative AI toolsThe platform has also introduced a âMade with AIâ label which is displayed on posts to inform viewers that the content includes AIgenerated elementsThe company hopes this step will improve transparency and reduce the risk of manipulationThe policy update comes at a time when geopolitical tensions are high following coordinated attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran which reportedly led to the killing of Iranâs Supreme Leader Ali KhameneiAmid these developments both Elon Musk and Bier recently said that traffic on X has reached a new alltime high as more users turn to the platform for updates IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/elon-musks-x-cracks-down-on-undisclosed-ai-war-videos-warns-creators-of-90-day-revenue-ban-663846.html Wed, 04 Mar 2026 19:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/japan-india-in-talks-to-jointly-develop-rajasthan-rare-earth-deposits-663804.html New Delhi March 4 In a move aimed at reducing dependence on China for critical minerals Japan is in discussions with India to jointly explore rare earth deposits in the desert state of Rajasthan according to reports The talks come after India recently identified three hard rock rare earth deposits in Rajasthan and Gujarat containing an estimated 129 million metric tons of rare earth oxidesThe discovery was announced last month by Union Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy who said the findings could significantly boost Indiaâs mineral securityReports said the discussions between New Delhi and Tokyo are part of a preliminary pact on critical minerals signed last year Under the proposed cooperation Japan is expected to send experts to Rajasthan to study the depositsThe Japanese government is likely to offer advanced extraction technology and financial support in exchange for a stable supply of rare earth materials to JapanHard rock rare earth deposits require specialized extraction techniques which India currently does not have at scale Japanâs technological expertise could therefore play a key role in developing these reservesThe reports said Japan is examining mining projects around the world to diversify its mineral supplies including rare earth elements However the report clarified that there have been no discussions yet on specific corporate partnerships or technology agreements related to RajasthanBoth India and Japan are looking to reduce their reliance on Chinese imports of rare earth materials Rare earth elements are essential for manufacturing permanent magnets used in electric vehicle motors wind turbines fighter jets and dronesAs one of the worldâs fastestgrowing major economies India sees secure access to these materials as critical for its industrial and strategic ambitionsThe talks also come amid rising tensions between Japan and ChinaLast week China banned the export of certain dualuse items to 20 Japanese entities that it claims supply Japanâs military The move effectively restricts Japanese companiesâ access to seven rare earth elements and other critical minerals currently on Chinaâs dualuse control listBeyond rare earths reports indicate that Japan is also exploring collaboration with Indian companies to search for lithium copper and cobalt in Africa as part of a broader effort to secure diversified and stable mineral supply chains IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/japan-india-in-talks-to-jointly-develop-rajasthan-rare-earth-deposits-663804.html Wed, 04 Mar 2026 13:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/seoul-shares-plunge-sharply-over-middle-east-conflict-woes-663650.html Seoul March 3 South Korean stocks plummeted nearly 5 per cent late Tuesday morning amid escalating concerns over possible economic impacts from the ongoing Middle East conflict South Koreas main bourse operator the Korea Exchange KRX issued a sellside circuit breaker temporarily halting trading after a sharp drop sparked by market concerns over US airstrikes on IranSelling of the KOSPI 200 Futures index was suspended for five minutes at 1205 pm according to KRXThe index fell 4775 points or 509 percent to 89005 at that time It marked the first sellside circuit breaker since Jan 6A sellside sidecar is triggered when the KOSPI 200 Futures index drops 5 percent or more for at least one minuteOpening 126 percent lower the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index KOSPI fell 24698 points or 396 per cent to 599715 as of 1120 am in the first trading session following the USled attacks on Iran reports Yonhap news agency The South Korean financial market closed Monday in observation of the March 1 Independence Movement Day holidayOvernight US stocks closed mixed as investors digested the US air strikes on Iran The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 015 percent but the Nasdaq Composite gained 036 percentIn Seoul major shares led the declineMarket bellwether Samsung Electronics sank 52 percent and its chipmaking rival SK hynix tumbled 566 percentSamsung Biologics leading pharmaceutical firm lost 377 percent and flag air carrier Korean Air plunged 899 percentHowever SOil an oil refinery firm whose largest shareholder is Saudi Arabias Aramco surged 1645 percent and defense giant Hanwha Aerospace soared 1172 percentThe Korean won was trading at 14673 won against the US dollar as of 1120 am down 276 won from the previous session IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/seoul-shares-plunge-sharply-over-middle-east-conflict-woes-663650.html Tue, 03 Mar 2026 09:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-white-collar-job-market-logs-12-pc-jump-in-feb-663704.html New Delhi March 3 Indiaâs whitecollar job market witnessed its strongest February performance in recent years registering a 12 per cent yearonyear YoY increase to 3233 from 2890 in yearago period February 2025 according to a report released on Tuesday The monthonmonth increase from January to February stood at 23 per cent higher than the typical 13â16 per cent rise seen between the two months according to data compiled by Naukri JobSpeak IndexFresher hiring 0â3 years of experience grew 17 per cent YoY Demand for roles in the 20 LPA salary band increased 23 per cent the report saidSectorwise insurance led with 28 per cent growth followed by BPOITES at 22 per cent real estate at 19 per cent hospitalitytravel at 15 per cent and retail at 14 per centThe IT sector grew 6 per cent after remaining stable in preceding quarters while AIML roles increased 49 per cent yearonyear the report statedWithin IT hiring in salary bands below 20 LPA remained flat Roles in the 20 LPA band grew 19 per cent YoY while 50 LPA roles surged 45 per cent the report saidDuring the period fresher hiring in the IT sector rose 8 per cent Indian IT MNCs recorded 55 per cent YoY growth in hiring while AIML hiring within IT increased 40 per cent Overall fresher hiring growth was led by nonIT sectorsAccording to Dr Pawan Goyal Chief Business Officer Naukri 23 per cent monthonmonth growth reflects meaningful IT recovery and strong AI investments by Indian MNCsThe underlying momentum heading into the new fiscal year looks genuinely solidâ Goyal saidBPOITES hiring rose 48 per cent YoY Insurance 42 per cent Retail 39 per cent and Hospitality 39 per cent Fresher roles in the 20 LPA band grew 30 per cent YoYProfessionals with 13â16 years of experience saw 50 per cent growthIndian MNCs overall expanded hiring by 24 per cent YoY In AIML Indian MNCs posted 82 per cent growth compared to 43 per cent among foreign MNCs IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-white-collar-job-market-logs-12-pc-jump-in-feb-663704.html Tue, 03 Mar 2026 13:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/jio-platforms-names-dan-bailey-as-president-eyes-global-growth-663712.html Mumbai March 3 Jio Platforms Limited on Tuesday announced the appointment of Dan Bailey as its new President as the company prepares to expand its business beyond India He will lead the companyâs international business initiatives and will be based in LondonDan Bailey will report to Akash Ambani Chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited He will also join the Executive Committee of Jio Platforms and contribute to the companyâs broader strategyBailey brings more than 35 years of experience in consulting and investment bankingDuring his career he has held senior leadership roles at global financial institutions such as Morgan Stanley HSBC and SchrodersCitiMost recently he served as Chairman of Deutsche Bankâs wellknown telecom media and technology TMT practiceOver the years he has advised some of the worldâs largest companies and investors on major telecom deals and other important transactionsThe appointment comes at a time when Jio is looking to grow its presence in global marketsAt its recent annual general meeting the company said its next phase of growth would extend beyond IndiaOver the past decade Jio has built digital platforms and technologies that have transformed connectivity and access for more than a billion people in the countryThe company now plans to take these capabilities to international markets with a clear strategy and roadmapWelcoming Bailey to the company Akash Ambani said he has been a trusted advisor to Jio for many years and has played an important role in its growth journeyâHe has spent his career at the centre of the global telecom and technology ecosystem and brings deep relationships strategic insights and a strong understanding of the industrys complexityâ he addedBailey said he has long admired what Jio has achieved in India especially the scale and speed at which it has grown and the impact it has had on peopleâs livesâI am delighted to be joining Akash and the team and cannot wait to get started Bailey added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/jio-platforms-names-dan-bailey-as-president-eyes-global-growth-663712.html Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/nagaland-varsitys-study-highlights-genetic-richness-of-wild-banana-for-climate-resilient-farming-663723.html Kohima March 3 Researchers at Nagaland University the only Central varsity in the state have conducted an extensive study on the genetic diversity of Musa sikkimensis a wild banana species native to the Eastern Himalayas and Northeast India underscoring its significance for climate resilience food security and sustainable agricultural development According to the research team Musa sikkimensis commonly known as the Darjeeling banana or Sikkim banana is a wildseeded species that serves as a crucial genetic reservoirIt possesses traits linked to disease resistance environmental stress tolerance and climate adaptability making it an invaluable resource for future banana breeding and crop improvement programmesAlthough not widely cultivated for edible fruit it plays a crucial role in strengthening crop resilience and ensuring sustainable productionThe research team found that local banana germplasm exhibits strong adaptive potential across diverse environmental conditions reinforcing its importance for conservation and future breeding initiativesNagaland located within the IndoBurma biodiversity hotspot hosts a rich diversity of indigenous banana genotypes However increasing anthropogenic activities environmental pressures and deforestation have placed many wild genotypes at risk of decline and possible extinction making conservation research criticalThe research titled Exploring the Genetic Diversity of Musa sikkimensis Land Races in Nagaland India underscores the urgent need to conserve endangered banana germplasm in one of the worldâs richest biodiversity regionsThe findings were published in a peerreviewed scientific journal that publishes research on plant and animal biology biodiversity ecology and environmental conservationThe paper was coauthored by Nagaland University Research Scholars K R Singh and Dr S Walling and Dr Animesh Sarkar Highlighting the need for such research to conserve the rich biodiversity of the Northeast Prof Jagadish K Patnaik ViceChancellor Nagaland University said I am pleased to announce a significant scientific breakthrough achieved by researchers of Nagaland University who have successfully developed a biodiversity corridor to conserve the indigenous banana germplasm which was facing the risk of extinctionHe said that this pioneering initiative reflects our Universityâs deep sense of accountability and responsibility toward safeguarding the wild flora of the hilly terrains of Northeast IndiaIt also highlights our commitment to scientific advancement rooted in local genetic resources and traditional ecological wealth In the climate changing scenario this research will pave the way for future crop improvement programmes by strengthening genetic resilience enhancing adaptability and ensuring nutritional security the VC saidThe study builds on a series of postgraduate and doctoral research projects conducted under the supervision of Dr Animesh Sarkar Associate Professor Department of Horticulture of the Nagaland University focusing on banana biodiversity germplasm mapping characterisation of wild species and evaluation of genetic resources in the stateHighlighting the role of this research in addressing conservation challenges and safeguarding local germplasm Dr Sarkar said We aimed to address challenges in identifying and conserving local banana genotypes growing in remote forest regions of Nagaland Through collaboration with banana experts from Northeast and South India our research team successfully identified and documented several previously unclassified genotypesHe further said Field exploration presented significant challenges including difficult terrain limited accessibility to remote forest areas and low awareness among farmers regarding the importance of germplasm conservation Our study also highlights a growing shift among farmers toward hybrid and tissueculture banana varieties which may accelerate the loss of traditional and wild genotypesThe findings demonstrate the potential of wild banana genetic resources to contribute to climateresilient agriculture food security and socioeconomic developmentResearchers noted that wild banana species could support the development of highyielding diseaseresistant varieties and new valueadded products such as fibrebased materials and health beveragesThe study also highlights the significant ethnobotanical value of wild bananas among indigenous communities in Nagaland Different plant parts are traditionally used for food fibre medicine and cultural practices with reported medicinal properties including treatment for dysentery ulcers diabetes and microbial infectionsTo strengthen conservation efforts Nagaland University has established a Banana Biodiversity Corridor at its Department of Horticulture ther varsity officials saidThe corridor functions as a living field gene bank linking in situ and ex situ conservation approaches while supporting genetic and molecular research climateresilient breeding programmes student training and national germplasm security initiativesThe initiative aims to protect fragmented banana diversity strengthen local value chains and support future agricultural developmentDr Sarkar has also established a network for exploration of banana biodiversity and its biotechnological research in Nagaland funded by the Department of Biotechnology DBT under the Central government IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/nagaland-varsitys-study-highlights-genetic-richness-of-wild-banana-for-climate-resilient-farming-663723.html Tue, 03 Mar 2026 15:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/israel-iran-war-likely-to-weigh-on-indian-markets-this-week-663320.html Mumbai March 1 Escalating tensions between Israel and Iran are expected to weigh on Indian markets in the near term mainly driven by a rise in energy prices analysts said on Sunday Analysts said that oil marketing companies aviation paints autos consumer discretionary and logistics could face pressure due to the tension in the Middle EastThe immediate market reaction is likely to be negative as investors assess whether the flareâup will become a prolonged conflict or remain a shortâterm one they said adding that rise in geopolitical tensions generally create selling pressure in the marketsCrude has firmed amid concerns about possible disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz trading around 67â68 a barrel rising around 2 per cent Analysts warned that a sustained move above 80 a barrel would add significant macroeconomic strain for India a major oil importer and could fuel inflation squeezing corporate marginsHowever analysts said that energy and defence stocks typically could find support in the near term Gold silver and US Treasurys could attract safeâhaven flows they forecasted Questions over succession are in the air following the death of Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei with his second eldest son Mojtaba Khamenei emerging as a possible frontrunner according to multiple reportsOn the technical front experts noted that the Nifty 50 index has turned weak after closing below its 200day exponential moving average EMATechnically immediate resistance for the Nifty 50 is seen in the 25300â25350 range while strong support is placed around the 25000â25050 zone said market expertsâIf the index holds above the support level some stability may return However a decisive break below this range could trigger further downside pressureâ an analyst mentionedWith markets closed on Holi day the weekly Nifty expiry shifts to Monday compressing the trading window Such calendar adjustments often amplify shortterm positioning moves potentially keeping volatility elevated said market watchers IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/israel-iran-war-likely-to-weigh-on-indian-markets-this-week-663320.html Sun, 01 Mar 2026 10:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/ai-will-reshape-jobs-not-destroy-them-morgan-stanley-663077.html New Delhi Feb 28 Fears that artificial intelligence will wipe out millions of jobs have unsettled workers and investors alike but a new research note from Morgan Stanley suggests the longterm impact may be less severe than many expect According to the report while some roles will be automated most workers are unlikely to be permanently left behind Instead many are expected to shift into new types of jobs including roles that do not yet exist The bank said artificial intelligence will change the nature of work rather than eliminate it entirelyTo support its argument Morgan Stanley pointed to major technological shifts over the past 150 years including electricity mechanised farming computers and the internet These innovations transformed industries and altered job requirements but they did not replace human labour altogetherThe report cited the rise of spreadsheets in the 1980s as a useful example While spreadsheets reduced the need for certain clerical tasks they also enabled financial professionals to focus on more complex and highervalue work Over time this shift helped create new careers in finance rather than destroy the sectorMorgan Stanley believed artificial intelligence will follow a similar path by changing job types occupations and required skills As AI adoption increases companies are expected to create new leadership roles such as chief AI officers to oversee integration of the technology across business operationsThe demand for specialists in AI governance is also likely to grow especially in highly regulated sectors such as healthcare Areas such as data regulation cybersecurity and policy oversight are expected to require skilled professionals to ensure responsible use of AI systemsIn the technology sector hybrid roles that combine product management and engineering are likely to become more common With the help of naturallanguage coding tools product managers may take on more technical responsibilities building and testing early prototypes before handing projects over to engineering teamsArtificial intelligence is also expected to create highly specialised roles across industries Consumerfacing companies may hire AI personalisation strategists and AI supplychain analysts who combine data expertise with customer experience insights Industrial firms could rely more on experts in predictive maintenance and intelligent energy systems In healthcare new roles may focus on computational genetics and oversight of AIdriven diagnostic toolsThe bank also noted that market concerns about AI disrupting entire industries may be overstated It pointed out that services and cyclical sectors which have seen weakness linked to disruption fears account for only about 13 per cent of the market value of the SampP 500 IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/ai-will-reshape-jobs-not-destroy-them-morgan-stanley-663077.html Sat, 28 Feb 2026 13:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/40-buyers-from-17-countries-at-sikkim-organic-conclave-expand-market-access-663134.html New Delhi Feb 28 Around 40 buyers from 17 countries including South Korea the UAE Mongolia Saudi Arabia Oman Singapore Norway Kuwait and the United Kingdom attended the BuyerâSeller Meet in Gangtok Sikkim it was announced on Saturday Nearly 20 leading Indian exporters including NCEL Basillia Organics Flex Foods and Nexton also participated with approximately 100 Farmer Producer Organisations FPOsFPCs from SikkimThe Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority APEDA in collaboration with the Sikkim Government and in association with IFOAMAsia organised the Sikkim Organic ConclavecumInternational Buyer Seller Meet IBSM said Commerce Ministry in a statementThrough initiatives such as the Organic ConclavecumIBSM APEDA continues to promote organic exports expand market access build capacity among FPOs and exporters and position Sikkim as an important contributor to Indiaâs growing organic export sectorAn exhibition featuring around 12 exhibitors showcased Sikkimâs certified organic products including Large Cardamom GItagged Dalle Khursani Sikkim Mandarin Buckwheat Turmeric and OrchidsIt highlighted the Stateâs diverse and exportready organic produce and attracted interest from international buyersSikkim became Indiaâs first fully organic state in 2016 enabling its produce to gain recognition under APEDAâs export certification systemThe state was conferred the Future Policy Gold Award by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization in 2018 in recognition of its leadership in organic agricultureA knowledge report titled âStudy on Supply Chain amp Export Readiness for Organic Farm Products in Sikkimâ was also releasedPrepared by NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd NLDSL the report outlines a roadmap to strengthen Sikkimâs organic export ecosystem through improved infrastructure streamlined processes enhanced aggregation transparent price discovery and strategic market positioningIt identifies measures to improve export competitiveness while ensuring sustainability traceability and farmercentric growthAccording to the official statement a technical session was also conducted to sensitise stakeholders on the 8th Edition of the National Programme for Organic Production NPOP covering updated regulations and labelling requirements IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/40-buyers-from-17-countries-at-sikkim-organic-conclave-expand-market-access-663134.html Sat, 28 Feb 2026 17:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/air-india-suspends-all-flights-to-middle-east-amid-major-combat-operations-in-iran-663142.html New Delhi Feb 28 Air India on Saturday said it has suspended all flights to all destinations in the Middle East in the wake of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East The announcement came as the US and Israel began âmajor combat operationsâ in IranâIn view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East all Air India flights to all destinations in the Middle East have been suspendedâ Air India said in a statementâWe remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety for our passengers and crew We will continue to assess the safety and security environment for our flight operations and adjust operations proactively as required Our teams will be extending all necessary support to passengersâ the airline addedAir India suggested fliers to check the flight status online as well as at âits 24Ã7 Call Centre at 91 1169329333 91 1169329999ââYou are also requested to check our website Thank you for your patience and understandingâ said the airlineThe United States and Israel launched coordinated attacks on Iran on Saturday significantly intensifying tensions in the Middle East The development raised concerns of a widening confrontation that could have farreaching geopolitical and economic consequencesAn Air India Express spokesperson said that in view of the developing situation in parts of the Gulf Region âAir India Express has suspended all westbound international flights The safety and security of our guests and crew remain our highest priorityââWe continue to closely monitor the evolving situation and will proactively review and adjust our operations as necessary Our teams are extending all possible support and assistance to impacted guestsâ said the airline adding that the impacted guests are being notified directly on their registered contact detailsâGuests are advised to check their flight status on airindiaexpresscom and ensure their contact information is up to date For change and cancellation waivers on impacted flights guests may visit the âManage Bookingâ section on our websiteâ said the spokesperson IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/air-india-suspends-all-flights-to-middle-east-amid-major-combat-operations-in-iran-663142.html Sat, 28 Feb 2026 17:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/sciencepolicy-convergence-key-to-achieving-viksit-bharat-principal-scientific-adviser-663162.html New Delhi Feb 28 Strong coordination between science and policymaking is essential to realise the vision of Viksit Bharat Principal Scientific Adviser to the Indian Government Prof Ajay K Sood said on Saturday He was speaking at the National Science Day Celebrationâ2026 held at Vigyan Bhawan where the theme for this year was âWomen in Science Catalysing Viksit BharatâProf Sood said sectors such as aerospace defense critical metals advanced materials and digital communication require coordinated institutional efforts and sustained research fundingâThe sciencepolicy interface plays a crucial role in turning scientific strength into national capabilityâ he stressedHe highlighted the importance of integrated approaches in emerging and strategic areas stating that research innovation and policy frameworks must work in synergyâIndiaâs future growth will depend on building indigenous technological capacity promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and ensuring that research outcomes are effectively used for societal benefitâ Sood statedHe also underlined the need to communicate science in Indian languages to improve public engagement and make science more inclusiveProf Abhay Karandikar Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology DST said Indiaâs science policy must support both cuttingedge research and innovation that can be translated into practical applicationsHe noted that DST is committed to strengthening interdisciplinary research and institutional collaborations while building capacity in emerging technologiesHe added that scienceled development must ensure that discoveries in laboratories reach the ground efficientlyProf Karandikar also stressed the importance of empowering researchers especially women scientists and creating inclusive research ecosystems to ensure sustained national progressHe said policy measures should speed up innovation while ensuring fair access to scientific advancements across regions and sectorsDuring a panel discussion Prof Shekhar C Mande President of the Indian National Science Academy emphasised the need for regular dialogue between scientists and policymakersHe said evidencebased policymaking must be guided by strong scientific research and expertise and closer cooperation between academia and government will be vital for achieving Viksit BharatThe event brought together policymakers scientists researchers and academicians to discuss how Indiaâs scientific ecosystem can better support national development goals IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/sciencepolicy-convergence-key-to-achieving-viksit-bharat-principal-scientific-adviser-663162.html Sat, 28 Feb 2026 18:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/tier-3-5-towns-to-grow-twice-as-fast-as-metro-peers-driven-by-higher-disposable-incomes-663171.html New Delhi Feb 28 Highways and highstreets are emerging as the new demand engines and the 3Fs fuel food and fashion are driving tier 35 towns to grow twice as fast as their metro peers a report showed on Saturday Decentralisation of demand and rapid premiumisation are accelerating Indiaâs retail transformation according to a new report by ClarityX an AIdriven data analytics and consulting firm supported by MapmyIndia founders and Mastercard Tier 3â5 cities are growing almost twice as fast as metros driven by higher disposable incomes rising aspirations and a lower starting consumption base Categories from dining to apparel are seeing clear tradingâup behaviour but the meaning of âpremiumâ varies sharply by geography â making hyperlocal product assortments increasingly important as massâpremium offerings lose relevanceWith tier 1â2 markets approaching saturation highway and highâstreet retail corridors 2H are emerging as new demand engines Fuel and food consumption along these routes indicate rising footfall firstâtime brand adoption and the formation of new retail hubs Future growth will depend on category mix micromarketing and the ability to understand consumers at a highly granular level said the reportThe seeping of retail demand and its premiumisation at lower demographics are strong markers of democratisation of purchasing power and inclusive economic growth âThe evolution of AIenabled retail intelligence is bringing together multiparty datasets that identify highâpotential geographies shifting consumer demand and enabling precisionled expansion strategiesâ said Rakhi Prasad Cofounder ClarityX and Nonexecutive Director CE Info Systems Ltd MapmyIndia MapplsAccording to the report offline consumer spends grew 20 per cent between 2023â25 while retail outlets expanded 25 per cent in the same period Electronics durables and jewellery are still in early growth phases while footwear has reached maturity across tier 1â5Grocery spending rose 74 per cent nationally but growth was uneven â 32 per cent in tier 1â2 compared to 104 per cent in tier 3â5 citiesâIndia offers extraordinary growth potential for retailers but real success lies in understanding how consumer behaviour is evolving Aggregated and anonymized payments data can tell us who customers are how they shop and what they valueâ said Rajesh Chopra Senior Vice President and Head Advisors South Asia at Mastercard IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/tier-3-5-towns-to-grow-twice-as-fast-as-metro-peers-driven-by-higher-disposable-incomes-663171.html Sat, 28 Feb 2026 19:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-jewellery-market-projected-to-reach-130150-billion-by-2030-663184.html New Delhi Feb 28 The domestic jewellery market currently valued at approximately 85â90 billion is projected to expand to 130â150 billion by 2030 driven by wedding demand premiumisation organised retail expansion and rising consumer confidence it was announced on Saturday North Indias jewellery trade received a significant earlyseason boost as the 2nd edition of âDJGF Signature 2026â opened at Bharat Mandapam here organised by Informa Markets in IndiaAvinash Gupta Vice Chairman All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council GJC said that the participation from exhibitors and buyers reflects not just strong business sentiment but also the growing maturity of our gem and jewellery ecosystemâToday the jewellery industry operates in a new normal gold premiums hovering around 3 per cent and silver nearly 5 per cent have become standard while tighter inventory cycles and frequent B2B exhibitions every 8â15 days allow us to manage procurement with lower risk and greater efficiencyâ he saidâHowever alongside growth we must prepare for critical regulatory shifts BISled HUID transfers expected to streamline traceability mandatory silver hallmarking currently limited to 90 and 80 standards despite nearly 50 tonnes of silver trade and PMLA compliance supported by AIdriven monitoringâ Gupta addedIndias gems and jewellery industry continues to demonstrate robust growthContributing nearly 78 per cent to Indias GDP and accounting for 1214 per cent of merchandise exports the sector supports over 5 million livelihoodsWith India processing nearly 90 per cent of the worlds diamonds by volume and remaining one of the largest global consumers of gold the country occupies a pivotal position in the global value chainYogesh Mudras Managing Director Informa Markets in India said that with the domestic jewellery market projected to expand to 130 billion by 2030 the sector is entering a phase of structured growth driven by festive demand bridal purchasing and increasing formalisationRam Avtar Verma President The Bullion and Jewellers Association Delhi TBJA said that âDJGF Signature 2026â truly reflects how far our industry has comeâThe sheer scale participation and energy at this edition are remarkableâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-jewellery-market-projected-to-reach-130150-billion-by-2030-663184.html Sat, 28 Feb 2026 20:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/tn-to-build-statewide-drone-ecosystem-through-tnuavc-industry-tie-ups-663038.html Chennai Feb 28 In a major push to strengthen technologydriven governance the Tamil Nadu Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Corporation TNUAVC functioning under the Higher Education Department has initiated steps to partner with drone manufacturers and service providers across India to build a comprehensive drone ecosystem in the State The corporation established to meet the dronebased operational requirements of various state government departments aims to deploy advanced aerial solutions to improve governance efficiency and enhance public service deliveryOfficials said the initiative is designed to integrate drone technology into key sectors such as municipal administration agriculture policing forest management water resources and disaster responseA senior official from the Higher Education Department stated that TNUAVC has begun the process of empanelling eligible drone manufacturing firms and service providers with proven expertiseThe vendor must have an established drone manufacturing facility and should have supplied at least five drones to government agencies the official saidAdditionally the manufacturer must hold certification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation DGCA for research and developmentâThe corporation is also focusing on onboarding service providers with handson operational experienceAccording to officials companies offering dronebased services such as aerial mapping land surveys crop monitoring and precision spraying will be consideredService providers should have demonstrated experience in executing government projects using drone technology the official addedAs part of the selection process TNUAVC will conduct a thorough scrutiny of the companies past performance including the states where they have delivered servicesAn expert committee will evaluate applications before finalising agreements with selected manufacturers and service firmsThe move aligns with Tamil Nadus broader vision of emerging as a technology and innovation hub particularly in sunrise sectors such as unmanned systems and advanced roboticsBy creating a structured ecosystem that connects manufacturing research and fieldlevel applications the State government aims to promote indigenous drone innovation while ensuring regulatory compliance and operational safetyOfficials believe that strategic integration of drone technology across departments will not only improve efficiency and transparency but also contribute to better disaster preparedness agricultural productivity and urban planning across Tamil Nadu IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/tn-to-build-statewide-drone-ecosystem-through-tnuavc-industry-tie-ups-663038.html Sat, 28 Feb 2026 11:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/bok-keeps-key-rate-unchanged-raises-s-koreas-2026-growth-forecast-662819.html Seoul Feb 26 South Koreas central bank kept its benchmark interest rate steady on Thursday citing strongerthanexpected growth momentum as it sought to safeguard financial stability amid a weak local currency and an unstable housing market In a widely expected decision the Monetary Policy Board of the Bank of Korea BOK held the key rate unchanged at 25 percent in its latest ratesetting meeting in Seoul reports Yonhap news agencyIt marked the sixth consecutive onhold decision even as the central bank remains in an easing cycleSince October 2024 the Bank of Korea has cut the benchmark interest rate by a cumulative 100 basis points from 35 percent in a bid to bolster economic growth while keeping the level unchanged since May 2025The BOK is apparently maintaining a waitandsee approach as the economy remains on a recovery path driven by robust exports amid a semiconductor upcycleThe central bank presented an upbeat outlook for the local economy on the day raising its 2026 growth forecast by 02 percentage point to 2 percentA key concern behind Thursdays decision was the unstable property market and rising household debtAccording to earlier data from the Korea Real Estate Board apartment sale prices in Seoul rose 898 percent onyear in 2025 marking the highest growth since 2013 when the board began compiling the relevant dataDespite the authorities strengthened regulations to cool the overheated housing market the average selling price of Seoul apartments has continued to climb rising 015 percent in the second week of February from a week earlierPresident Lee Jae Myung has reiterated his strong commitment to stabilising the real estate market and issued verbal warnings against multihome owners saying the root of all problems in this country lies in real estateThe South Korean central bank also raised to 2 per cent its growth forecast for the local economy this year citing strong exports and a recovery in private consumptionThe revision by the Bank of Korea BOK represents a 02 percentagepoint increase from its previous forecast of a 18 percent expansion issued in NovemberThe revised outlook aligns with the governments growth forecast while being slightly more optimistic than the 19 percent projections by the International Monetary Fund IMF and the Korea Development Institute KDIMeanwhile the BOK revised up its consumer price inflation forecast increasing this years estimate to 22 percent from 21 percent amid rising global oil prices driven by geopolitical risks IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/bok-keeps-key-rate-unchanged-raises-s-koreas-2026-growth-forecast-662819.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 09:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/pm-modi-invites-israeli-firms-to-explore-investment-manufacturing-opportunities-in-india-662848.html Tel Aviv Feb 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited Israeli companies to explore opportunities in India to invest manufacture and build technology partnerships it was announced on Thursday PM Modi accompanied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited an exhibition showcasing pioneering Israeli innovations across several sectors here which featured Agritech Watertech Climatetech Healthbiotech Smart Mobility AI Cybersecurity and Quantum technologiesDuring his interaction with the innovators PM Modi noted that the cuttingedge technologies on display hold immense potential to scale up IndiaIsrael innovation startups and business partnerships especially in areas such as agriculture water management healthcare and digital servicesThe two countries are working together to build solutions to address modernday challenges through the IndiaIsrael Innovation Bridge initiative During the walkthrough Prime Minister interacted with scientists techentrepreneurs and CEOs of several companiesPrime Minister was briefed by Quantum Machines on the Israeli Quantum Computing Centre IQCC and by Classiq which is simplifying quantum software developmentAccording to an official statement AISAP a startup demonstrated its AIpowered pointofcare ultrasound which provides realtime diagnostic guidance The Horizon Scanning Division of the Israeli Ministry of Science and Technology presented Tech Scout an AIdriven tool for strategic risk detection and trend analysisMobileye a techenterprise showcased its sensor and chip technology aimed at reducing road accidents Check Point Software Technologies highlighted its advanced threat prevention solutions and its collaborations in IndiaWaterGen demonstrated its technology to produce drinking water from air while NDrip showcased gravitypowered microirrigation systems Natural Offset Farming NOF presented infield postharvest solutions to reduce food loss without electricityAlso Remilk showcased precision fermentation for labproduced milk proteins and BarAlgae presented machinelearningintegrated microalgae cultivation Mynora Bio displayed plastic waste management using specialized bioconversion additives The Geophysical Institute GII demonstrated highresolution modelling for quantifying mineral resourcesNotably Israel Aerospace Industries presented its miniaturised communications satellites and integrated Synthetic Aperture Radar IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/pm-modi-invites-israeli-firms-to-explore-investment-manufacturing-opportunities-in-india-662848.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 11:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/social-media-platforms-must-share-revenue-fairly-with-content-creators-ashwini-vaishnaw-662878.html New Delhi Feb 26 Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday said that social media platforms must share revenue in a fair manner with those who create content including journalists conventional media houses influencers professors and researchers He said that people who are creating content whether they are news professionals creators sitting in farflung areas or academicians sharing their research deserve a fair share of the revenue generated on digital platformsAccording to him the principle of fair revenue sharing must now be set right across the ecosystemâSocial media platforms must also share revenue in a fair way with the people who are creating the content whether it is news persons the conventional media the creators sitting in farflung areas influencers the professors and researchers who are disseminating their work using the platformsâ Vaishnaw saidHe stressed that platforms benefit significantly from the content uploaded by individuals and organisations and therefore the creators should also get their rightful shareHe added that ensuring fairness in revenue distribution will help strengthen the digital content economy in IndiaHis remarks come at a time when the government is also tightening rules around digital platforms to ensure accountability and transparencyIn a separate move the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology MeitY last year proposed fresh amendments to the IT Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules 2021 aimed at tackling the growing threat of deepfakes and AIgenerated misinformationUnder the draft rules social media platforms will be required to clearly label âsynthetically generated contentâ and embed permanent metadata or identifiers in such materialMajor social media intermediaries SSMIs platforms with more than 5 million registered users in India such as Facebook YouTube and Snapchat will have to ensure that AIgenerated content is prominently markedThe proposed rules state that the identifier must cover at least 10 per cent of the visual display in case of videos or images or the first 10 per cent of the duration in case of audio contentThe metadata must not be alterable suppressed or removed If a platform knowingly allows unlabelled or falsely declared AIgenerated content it will be considered as failing to exercise due diligence under the IT Act IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/social-media-platforms-must-share-revenue-fairly-with-content-creators-ashwini-vaishnaw-662878.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 13:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/samsung-launches-galaxy-s26-series-in-india-starting-at-rs-87-999-662888.html Gurugram Feb 26 Samsung on Thursday announced that its flagship Galaxy S26 series is now available for preorder in India with prices starting at Rs 87999 for the base model and going up to Rs 189999 for the topend Galaxy S26 Ultra variant The Galaxy S26 lineup includes the Galaxy S26 Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S26 Ultra The company said the new series brings its most advanced âAgentic AIâ mobile experience yet designed to make everyday tasks simpler and more intuitiveThe phones aim to reduce the effort needed to manage schedules search for information capture content and edit photos or videosThe Galaxy S26 Ultra is priced at Rs 139999 for the 12GB256GB variant and Rs 159999 for the 12GB512GB model while the 16GB1TB version costs Rs 189999The Galaxy S26 starts at Rs 119999 for the 12GB256GB variant and Rs 139999 for the 12GB512GB modelThe Galaxy S26 comes at Rs 87999 for the 12GB256GB variant and Rs 107999 for the 12GB512GB versionPreorders for the Galaxy S26 series began on February 25 across leading online and offline retail storesConsumers can also preorder the devices through Samsung Live on the companyâs official websiteThe smartphones come in Cobalt Violet White Black and Sky Blue colour options along with Samsungcom exclusive shades Pink Gold and Silver ShadowThe Galaxy S26 Ultra introduces what Samsung claims is the industryâs first builtin Privacy Display on a mobile phone designed to protect user data by limiting sideangle visibilityThe device also features a customised Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy processor delivering improvements in CPU GPU and NPU performance for smoother multitasking and stronger ondevice AI capabilitiesTo manage heat during heavy usage the Galaxy S26 Ultra comes with a redesigned vapor chamber and improved thermal materialsIt also supports SuperFast Charging 30 which the company says can charge the battery up to 75 per cent in about 30 minutesOn the camera front the Galaxy S26 series focuses heavily on AIpowered photography and videoThe Ultra variant offers wider camera apertures for better lowlight shots enhanced Nightography Video and improved Super Steady features for stable recording IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/samsung-launches-galaxy-s26-series-in-india-starting-at-rs-87-999-662888.html Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/rs-349-crore-citizen-360-digital-platform-to-transform-public-services-in-chennai-662695.html Chennai Feb 25 In a major step towards techdriven urban governance the Greater Chennai Corporation GCC has approved a Rs 349crore project to build an integrated Citizen 360 Digital Engagement Platform aimed at fundamentally reshaping how residents interact with the civic body The decision was cleared at a recent council meeting marking one of the cityâs most ambitious digital transformation initiativesThe proposed platform will be developed by upgrading the existing Integrated Command and Control Centre ICCC into a unified engagement and analytics hubCivic officials said the system will use artificial intelligence to create a consolidated profile of each citizenâs interactions with the Corporation ranging from tax payments to grievance redressal enabling faster datadriven decisionmaking At present citizen services operate in departmental silos meaning each complaint or request is handled independently This fragmented structure makes it difficult for officials to identify recurring civic problems or patterns of complaints across neighbourhoodsUnder the new framework all service requests feedback and grievances will be brought onto a single dashboardOfficials said the AIpowered interface would securely store complaint data and generate analytics to detect persistent issues such as garbage accumulation repeated road damage drainage failures and floodingprone stretchesBy analysing trends over time administrators will be able to address root causes rather than merely resolving isolated complaintsThe Corporation has floated a Request for Proposal RFP for the design development integration and longterm maintenance of the platformThe selected system integrator will manage the project endtoend including cloud hosting cybersecurity disaster recovery and highavailability architecture The project will be executed in two phases The first phase scheduled for completion within eight weeks includes deployment of 50 to 150 user licences integration with ICCC and departmental systems and rollout of an AIdriven chatbot powered by a large language model The second phase will focus on operations and maintenance after golive including AI model refinement uptime assurance and deployment of dedicated technical staffImportantly the upgraded system will enable seamless communication across WhatsApp email web portals and mobile applications Beyond integrating data from 22 GCC departments the platform will also connect with agencies such as Metro Water Chennai Metro Rail Limited CMRL and the Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation creating a unified civic data ecosystem designed to enhance transparency and improve service delivery across the city IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/rs-349-crore-citizen-360-digital-platform-to-transform-public-services-in-chennai-662695.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/it-is-unacceptable-and-shocking-scindia-on-luxury-treatment-for-bsnl-director-662700.html New Delhi Feb 25 Calling the reported luxury treatment for a BSNL Director âimproperâ and a violation of established rules Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Wednesday that such conduct is unacceptable and shocking and confirmed that a show cause notice has been issued The controversy erupted after details emerged about elaborate arrangements made for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited Director Vivek Bansal during his proposed visit to Prayagraj in Uttar PradeshReacting to media queries Scindia said he had made it very clear that the episode was a violation of established norms and traditionsâCertain questions were raised to me yesterday by the media and I have made it very clear that this is improper and a violation of established rules and traditions It is unacceptable to me It is shockingâ Scindia told reportersâA show cause notice has already been issued to the Director with a sevenday response period We will take appropriate actionâ he addedScindia further stressed that in todayâs times any kind of âroyal treatmentâ for officials is beyond imagination He made it clear that those found guilty in the matter will not be sparedAccording to an official order issued by a Deputy General Manager nearly 50 staff members were deployed over two days to manage 21 different tasks linked to the visitThe minutetominute plan reportedly included arrangements for boat rides temple visits holy dips at the Triveni Sangam and preparation of bathing kits containing towels oil comb and even undergarmentsOfficials were also assigned duties such as arranging suits clicking photographs organising transport and stocking vehicles with water bottles chocolates chips and other refreshmentsThe document which began circulating widely on social media triggered sharp criticism over the scale of arrangements and the use of public sector resources for what appeared to be a personal visitSoon after the controversy broke Bansalâs visit was cancelled BSNL which reported a loss of over Rs 1300 crore in the last quarter has not officially commented on how such an extensive plan was drafted IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/it-is-unacceptable-and-shocking-scindia-on-luxury-treatment-for-bsnl-director-662700.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-can-become-leading-global-centre-for-electric-mobility-manufacturing-hd-kumaraswamy-662716.html New Delhi Feb 25 With clear policy direction and strong industry participation India can firmly establish itself as a leading global centre for electric mobility manufacturing and innovation Minister of Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy said on Wednesday Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the third FICCI National Conference on Electric Vehicles the minister stressed that whatever best way we can encourage the electric mobility adoption we are going to go for thatAs we move towards the vision of âViksit Bharat 2047â electric mobility must remain central to the Make in India agenda strengthening domestic manufacturing deepening localisation and positioning India as a global production hub for EVs batteries and critical components he addedOver the past decade Indias automotive component exports have nearly doubled rising from approximately 8 billion to 169 billionThis growth reflects Indiaâs deepening integration into global value chains and its growing credibility as a manufacturing hub Kumaraswamy told the gathering at the eventFormer NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said the global electric vehicles market is projected to reach trillions of dollars over the next decadeSupply chains are realigning and countries are rethinking trade localisation and strategic dependencies India must position itself as a trusted manufacturing hub for electric vehicles he said at the eventElectric mobility is not merely a climate imperative it is equally an economic industrial technological and strategic opportunity The transition to electric vehicles must be viewed as a central pillar of Viksit Bharat 2047 said the former G20 Sherpa FICCI Green Mobility Committee CoChair Vikram Handa said that from Green Mobility 10 to now 20 India has built an entire value chainThis spans from the processing of critical minerals to cell manufacturing battery pack assembly and the production of twowheelers threewheelers fourwheelers buses trucks and even charging infrastructure This comprehensive ecosystem signifies the direction in which the Indian industry is heading and reflects strong future potential he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-can-become-leading-global-centre-for-electric-mobility-manufacturing-hd-kumaraswamy-662716.html Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/adani-power-to-supply-558-mw-high-quality-power-to-benefit-tamil-nadu-consumers-662463.html Ahmedabad Feb 24 Adani Power on Tuesday said that its subsidiary Moxie Power Generation Ltd MPGL has received a Letter of Award LoA from Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation TNPDCL for supply of 558 MW net power for a period of five years The power supply agreement is expected to benefit Tamil Nadu consumers by providing an additional 558 MW of reliable and highquality power enhance grid stability and support uninterrupted electricity supply to households businesses and industriesMoxie Power operates a 1200 MW 2X 600 MW power plant in Tuticorin Tamil NaduIt emerged as the lowest bidder in a tightly contested bid by offering a tariff of Rs 5910 per unit with supply starting April 1 2026 said Adani Power Indiaâs largest private power producer with a generation capacity of 1815 GWNow both units of the plant have power supply agreements and more than 95 per cent of Adani Powerâs total operating capacity is secured with medium to longterm contracts said the Adani Group companyâThis provides significant longterm revenue visibility and also derisks the company from shortterm market volatility The company aims to achieve almost 100 per cent PPA power purchase agreement tieup for all its operational and under commissioning plants over the coming yearsâ according to a company statementBy securing power at a competitive tariff consumers are expected to benefit from more affordable and dependable energy in the years aheadAdani Power has an installed thermal power capacity of 18110 MW spread across 12 power plants in Gujarat Maharashtra Karnataka Rajasthan Chhattisgarh Madhya Pradesh Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu apart from a 40 MW solar power plant in Gujarat Adani Power reported a 53 per cent rise in its continuing profit before tax PBT for the third quarter Q3 of FY26 The companyâs PBT stood at Rs 2800 crore in Q3 FY26 compared to Rs 2659 crore in the same period last financial year supported mainly by lower finance costs and stable operating performance IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/adani-power-to-supply-558-mw-high-quality-power-to-benefit-tamil-nadu-consumers-662463.html Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/sri-lanka-must-jump-onto-indias-bandwagon-to-join-ai-race-report-662334.html New Delhi Feb 23 The only way for Sri Lanka to get into the AI race is to jump onto the bandwagon of a fast mover Since it is unlikely that Sri Lanka can do so with the two leaders in the AI race the US and China the choice available is its neighbour to the north India the rising star India has a high strategic edge with AI on many counts according to an article in the Colombo Telegraph âIndia is moving fast in AI development and most likely will become part of a threemember oligopoly along with the US and China that will dominate the world In this game Sri Lanka has no choice but to jump onto the Indian bandwagon to harness the best results for its citizensâ states the article written by Dr WA WijewardenaSri Lankaâs President Anura Kumara Dissanayake highlighted at the AI Summit here last week that countries lagging in the AI race may face even greater vulnerabilities because the new trend will threaten shared aspirations for inclusive equitable and sustainable development the common goals of the worldâs nations todayHe also noted that Sri Lanka like many other emerging economies is yet to develop its AI infrastructure to harness its full potential as a driver of the economy What is needed according to him is decisive action by these nations to follow a principled confident and forwardlooking strategyThe article states that Sri Lanka is specifically vulnerable because it does not have the necessary infrastructure in place to join the AI race In this game India which is now branded as a ârising starâ is placed third globally in AI competitiveness and vibrancy by Stanford Universityâs AI Index 2025 while it is ranked midway in the IMFâs AI Preparedness Index and Oxford Universityâs Government AI Readiness Index for 2025 But its ability to effectively challenge the two rising leaders is questionableThe article points out that joining that India provides a way out for Sri Lanka Demographywise India has a young population of about a twothirds falling under 35 years That is a high potential humanware stock With respect to digital infrastructure it has an enviable recent catchupIts cloud storage capacity is about 100 petabytes or PBs and numerous data centres are equipped with more than 38000 Graphics Processing Units or GPUs This is a massive advancement since a single petabyte can store about 500 billion pages of standard text or over 200000 highdefinition movies GPUs originally designed for graphics are today used for heavy computation video editing and machine learningDue to their ability to handle intensive data tasks GPUs are critical for training large AI models On top of these India is now entrepreneurshipdriven with the proliferation of about 200000 startups It also has a large 5G subscriber base of more than 400 million users the article states IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/sri-lanka-must-jump-onto-indias-bandwagon-to-join-ai-race-report-662334.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 14:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/make-in-india-helps-create-lakhs-of-jobs-women-biggest-beneficiaries-ashwini-vaishnaw-662363.html New Delhi Feb 23 Women have been the biggest beneficiaries under the âMake in Indiaâ initiative which created lakhs of direct and indirect jobs Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Monday IT Minister said that âMake in Indiaâ initiative has created jobs and provided skilling at an unprecedented scaleThe Apple ecosystem alone has created at least 250000 direct jobs with 70 per cent beneficiaries being women Moreover the ecosystem has generated at least 750000 indirect jobsâIndia is preparing a skilled workforce for the next phase of electronics manufacturing Robotics Drones EVs Smart Cars Precision components Advanced tooling and Smart glassesâ said Vaishnaw in an X postMeanwhile the productionlinked incentive PLI scheme has succeeded in attracting investments of over Rs 216 lakh crore in the manufacturing sector and created more than 1439 lakh direct and indirect jobs as on December 31 2025According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry cumulative sales of manufacturing units set up under the scheme exceeded Rs 2041 lakh crore while total exports crossed Rs 83 lakh croreThe government has disbursed as much as Rs 28748 crore as productionlinked incentives under the scheme the statement saidMobile phone imports have declined by nearly 77 per cent since FY 2020â21 while over 99 per cent of domestic demand is now met through local production Manufacturing has expanded beyond assembly to include printed circuit board assemblies batteries camera and display modules enclosures and other critical subassemblies enabling deeper integration with global value chainsDomestic manufacturing capacity for IT hardware has also expanded with progressive localisation of components reducing dependence on imports Govt hikes component manufacturing outlay to Rs 40000 crore announces India Semiconductor Mission 20In the Union Budget Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the launch of the India Semiconductor Mission ISM 20 while increasing the outlay for electronics component manufacturing to Rs 40000 crore to strengthen local production and innovation which will also create more direct and indirect jobs IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/make-in-india-helps-create-lakhs-of-jobs-women-biggest-beneficiaries-ashwini-vaishnaw-662363.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 16:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/mobile-ban-in-karnataka-schools-under-discussion-parents-also-exerting-pressure-deputy-cm-shivakumar-662365.html Bengaluru Feb 23 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Monday said that the issue of banning mobile phones in schools is under discussion and that there is pressure from parents as well Many countries have implemented such measures The issue is also being discussed at the international levelâ he said in response to questions from the media near his residence hereAsked about restricting mobile phone usage by children in schools he said âIt is not appropriate to publicly disclose how mobile phones are being misused That is why discussions are being held on this issueOn the issue of banning mobile phones Home Minister G Parameshwara stated there has been discussion on imposing a mobile ban in schools and colleges Giving mobile phones to children below 16 years of age is affecting their education in different ways he said Many countries have conducted studies and imposed bans on mobile phones The Chief Minister has also deliberated on this issue A decision will be taken after studying its pros and cons he addedAsked about Minister Mahadevappa raising the issue of a Dalit Chief Minister Shivakumar said He is our national leader I offer him my greetings from hereResponding to a question about a report by the National Water Quality Standards Authority stating that Bengaluruâs lake water is not fit for drinking he said The government has never said that lake water in Bengaluru should be used for drinking or bathing These lakes exist to recharge groundwater Water from the Thippagondanahalli reservoir is treated by the BWSSB Bengaluruâs lake water is not meant for drinking or bathingOn the issue of protest by Congress against Viksit BharatâGuarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission Gramin Act he said the Central government has not issued any clarification or directiveEven wages for previous work have not been released The law has been rendered ineffective Atrocities are being committed against labourers and the poor We are organising a major protest against this A âNREGA Bachao Andolanâ protest has been organised in Chikkaballapurâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/mobile-ban-in-karnataka-schools-under-discussion-parents-also-exerting-pressure-deputy-cm-shivakumar-662365.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 16:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/bharti-airtel-to-invest-rs-20-000-crore-to-expand-digital-lending-biz-via-nbfc-arm-662384.html Mumbai Feb 23 Bharti Airtel on Monday announced plans to invest Rs 20000 crore over the next few years to expand its digital lending business through its NonBanking Financial Company NBFC subsidiary Airtel Money Limited The telecom major said the fresh capital infusion will help strengthen its presence in Indiaâs fastgrowing financial services sector and narrow the countryâs credit gapOf the total Rs 20000 crore investment Airtel will contribute 70 per cent while the remaining 30 per cent will be brought in by the promoter group through Bharti Enterprises LimitedGopal Vittal Executive Vice Chairman of Bharti Airtel said the success of the companyâs lending platform demonstrates its ability to combine technology data and customer trust at scaleâOur NBFC expansion strengthens this foundation and reflects our ambition to build a differentiated futureready digital lending business one that stands for trust innovation and financial inclusionâ Vittal mentionedAirtel Money Limited recently received its NBFC licence from the Reserve Bank of India on February 13 2026The company said the move marks a strategic expansion aimed at deepening financial inclusion and offering simple secure and innovative digital financial services to customers across IndiaOver the past two years Airtel has built a digital lending platform that has already disbursed over Rs 9000 crore in loansThe company said its lending service provider LSP model has achieved strong growth supported by disciplined underwriting practices portfolio management and realtime risk monitoringIt added that its digital platform backed by a data and analytics engine powered by more than 500 data scientists has enabled it to scale up quickly while maintaining healthy loan performance metricsAs part of the regulatory requirements Airtel Money also clarified that while it has received a valid certificate of registration from the RBI under the RBI Act the central bank does not guarantee the financial soundness of the company or the repayment of its liabilities IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/bharti-airtel-to-invest-rs-20-000-crore-to-expand-digital-lending-biz-via-nbfc-arm-662384.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 18:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-france-amending-protocol-to-boost-investment-economic-cooperation-662388.html New Delhi Feb 23 India and France have signed an amending protocol to boost investment and strengthen economic cooperation which aligns tax treaty with international standards it was announced on Monday The amending protocol provides full taxing rights in respect of capital gains arising from sale of shares of a company to the jurisdiction where such company is a residentIt also deletes the socalled MostFavouredNation MFN Clause from the Protocol to the IndiaFrance Double Taxation Avoidance Convention DTAC thereby bringing to rest all issues relating to it according to a Finance Ministry statementThe protocol also modifies the taxation of income from dividends by replacing a single rate of 10 per cent of tax with a split rate of 5 per cent for those holding at least 10 per cent of capital and 15 per cent of tax for all other casesâIt also modifies the definition of âFees for Technical Servicesâ by aligning it with the definition in India US Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and expands the scope of âPermanent Establishmentâ by adding Service PEâ the ministry saidDuring the recent visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India both the nations signed a protocol amending the IndiaFrance DTACThe Protocol also updates the provisions on Exchange of Information and introduces a new Article on Assistance in Collection of Taxes as per international standards said the ministryThis would enable and facilitate seamless exchange of information and strengthen mutual tax cooperation between India and FranceThe Protocol also incorporates within the DTAC the applicable provisions of BEPS Multilateral Instrument MLI that had already become applicable consequent to the signing and ratification of MLI by India and FranceâThe Amending Protocol will provide greater tax certainty to the taxpayers and boost flow of investment technology and personnel between India and France and thereby strengthen the economic relationship between the two countriesâ said the ministry IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-france-amending-protocol-to-boost-investment-economic-cooperation-662388.html Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/maha-cm-highlights-ais-transformative-role-in-agriculture-at-india-ai-impact-summit-661963.html New Delhi Feb 20 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday emphasised the pivotal role of Artificial Intelligence AI in agriculture while addressing the India AI Impact Summit 2026 Speaking at the event CM Fadnavis said âWe meet at a very defining moment Across the world food systems are under strain climate volatility is intensifying water tables are falling soil health is deteriorating supply chains are fragile and global markets are unpredictable For countries from the Global South agriculture is not merely an economic sector â it is livelihood social stability and national securityâCM Fadnavis highlighted Indiaâs commitment to using technology for inclusive development under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi adding âThe India AI Mission is about using technology to deliver inclusion transparency and scale Today agriculture must sit at the heart of this mission Over half a billion Indians depend directly or indirectly on agriculture yet small landholders face fragmented information rising input costs climate uncertainty and limited access to credit and marketsâOutlining Maharashtraâs AIdriven initiatives in agriculture he said âTraditional extension systems however committed cannot match the scale and speed required AI changes this equation It can provide hyperlocal weather predictions early pest outbreak warnings precision irrigation and fertiliser guidance cropbased credit scoring transparent supply chains and realtime market advisories But AI is not magic As our PM said in his inaugural session âAI must be built on trusted data ethical governance and public accountability Without trust scale will not happenâThe Chief Minister described the stateâs AIpowered mobile platform which delivers multilingual personalised advisories market intelligence and access to government services acting as a âdigital friendâ to farmersâThis demonstrates one thing very clearly Farmers are ready for AI when AI is designed for themâ he addedHe also cited earlywarning systems for cotton growers through geospatial analytics and postsurveillance calling it âpredictive governance in actionâCM Fadnavis said Maharashtraâs model is being designed as a replicable public infrastructure for India and the Global SouthIn partnership with the India AI Mission the World Bank and the Wadhwani AI a global call for AI use cases in agriculture resulted in a compendium of successful realworld applications across Africa Asia Latin America and beyond released on February 17 in DelhiTaking a dig at political opponents Fadnavis quipped âI would just like to say that they need AI the most because at times when human intelligence becomes negligible AI can provide supportâHe added âThe AI Summit taking place is very important for our country It showcases Indiaâs progress in AI to the world Especially at a time when AI is rapidly advancing and revolutionising various sectors global leaders coming to India to witness the countryâs strength and engage in discussions on AI is highly significant Our session particularly focussed on AI in agriculture and Maharashtraâs achievements in this domainâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/maha-cm-highlights-ais-transformative-role-in-agriculture-at-india-ai-impact-summit-661963.html Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/un-chief-calls-for-global-interoperability-to-mitigate-ai-fragmentation-risks-661965.html New Delhi Feb 20 UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres on Friday cited AI fragmentation risks calling for global interoperability standards for better outcomes at the âIndia AI Impact Summit 2026â here Guterres said that today international cooperation is difficult âTechnological rivalry is growing Without a common baseline fragmentation wins with different regions and different countries operating under incompatible policies and technical standardsâ he warnedAddressing the Summit he said that when we agree on how to test systems and measure risk we create interoperability âSo a startup in New Delhi can scale globally with confidence because the benchmarks are shared and safety can travel with technologyâ he notedGuterres also called for scienceled AI guardrails to protect people and accelerate innovationâOnce we understand what AI systems can do and what they cannot we can move from rough measures to smarter riskbased guardrails Guardrails that protect people uphold human rights and preserve human agencyâ he told the gatheringAccording to the UN SecretaryGeneral AI guardrails must build confidence and give business clarity so innovation can move faster in the right direction âScienceled governance is not a brake on progress It is an accelerator for solutions It helps us identify where AI can do the most good and the fastest and it helps us anticipate early impacts from risks for children to labour markets to manipulation at scale so countries can prepare protect and invest in peopleâ he highlightedAI innovation is outpacing our collective ability to fully understand it let alone govern it If we want AI to serve humanity policy cannot be built on guesswork hype or disinformation We need facts we can trust and share across countries and sectors he stressedAccording to him AI must be accessible to everyoneâBut without investment many countries will be logged out of the AI age Thatâs why I am calling for a Global Fund on AI to build skills data affordable computing power and inclusive ecosystems everywhereâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/un-chief-calls-for-global-interoperability-to-mitigate-ai-fragmentation-risks-661965.html Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-can-empower-billion-entrepreneurs-through-responsible-ai-vishal-sikka-661912.html New Delhi Feb 19 India has the potential to lead a new human revolution powered by purposeful and responsible Artificial Intelligence Vishal Sikka founder and CEO of Vianai said on Thursday Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 here Sikka said AI presents a historic opportunity for the countryâIndia has previously transformed areas like connectivity and food security within a generation and now it has a chance to build the next era through AIâ he notedSikka who is also the former CEO of Infosys said AI can empower âa billion entrepreneursâ in IndiaâAI should not just help people earn a living but enable them to build meaningful lives for themselves and othersâ he toldHe stressed that India can move towards a true human revolution if AI is developed and used in a purposeful and responsible wayHe highlighted the massive productivity gains that AI can deliver when used properly Sikka shared examples of a colleague at Stanford who rebuilt a large service in just 14 days using generative AI a task that earlier took 15 engineers nine months to completeHe also spoke about a business leader who made a major strategic decision in a few days instead of taking a year thanks to AICalling AI an âincredible powerâ Sikka said it gives instant access to knowledge in any language and can summarise information in different formatsHowever he cautioned that AIâs benefits are not automatic To unlock real value users must understand both its strengths and its limitationsSikka who holds a PhD in AI said there is still a large gap between large language models and their practical use inside enterprisesâBridging this gap requires building systems that are correct trustworthy verifiable and reliable Only then can businesses truly benefit from AIâ he saidHe added that once this gap is closed AI can remove the complexity of legacy systems within companies and transform entire industriesâWith imagination and responsible implementation AI can simplify processes boost productivity and empower individuals across sectorsâ Sikka mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-can-empower-billion-entrepreneurs-through-responsible-ai-vishal-sikka-661912.html Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-successfully-conveys-importance-of-inclusive-ai-accenture-ceo-julie-sweet-661918.html New Delhi Feb 19 Accenture CEO Julie Sweet on Thursday said that the âAI Impact Summit 2026â in India has successfully conveyed the importance of inclusive growth as well as inclusive AI Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the Summit here she said it âhas been a great recognition of the importance of countries coming together private sector and the public sector and its really been a great testimony to the importance of India as wellâAt the âIndia AI Impact Summit 2026â the government announced the New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments a landmark outcome of the summit that brings together leading frontier AI companies and Indiaâs domestic innovators to advance inclusive and responsible artificial intelligenceâOne of the themes of the summit has been the importance of inclusive growth and inclusive AI and I think the fact that there are so many people here from around the worldâ shows the importance of the countryâ Sweet notedThe Summit witnessed a global meet of world leaders and Big Tech CEOs centred around the highlevel opening ceremony of the Summit at Bharat Mandapam inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra ModiThe ceremony set the tone for the Summitâs focus on responsible innovation scientific advancement and international collaboration in shaping the future of Artificial IntelligenceAccording to an official statement the participation of global political leaders multilateral institutions and technology pioneers at the Summit inaugural session underscored the Summitâs stature as a defining platform for shaping the trajectory of Artificial Intelligence in an increasingly interconnected and rapidly evolving worldN Chandrasekaran Chairman of Tata Sons described AI as the next foundational infrastructure with transformative potential comparable to steam engines electricity and the internetHe highlighted Indiaâs digital public infrastructure achievements and positioned AI as a strategic national capability built across the full stack from chips and systems to energy and applications IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-successfully-conveys-importance-of-inclusive-ai-accenture-ceo-julie-sweet-661918.html Thu, 19 Feb 2026 17:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/galgotias-robot-incident-an-isolated-one-india-at-forefront-of-ai-revolution-661794.html New Delhi Feb 18 IANS The recent controversy around a robot displayed by Galgotias University at the India AI Impact Summit may have grabbed headlines but it remains just one small episode in an otherwise massive showcase of Indias growing strength in artificial intelligencenbspnbspFrom indigenous foundational models to autonomous drones and rural AI solutions the summit underlined how India is rapidly emerging as a global AI powerhousenbspReporting from the ground a DD India correspondent highlighted that the summit is not defined by one disputed exhibitInstead it is a vibrant platform featuring hundreds of stalls that display futuristic technologies being developed across the countrynbspEach innovation reflects the depth and diversity of Indias AI ecosystem he statednbspOne of the biggest attractions at the event was BharatGen AI which is building foundational AI models in all 22 official Indian languagesnbspThe initiative aims to make AI accessible and inclusive for millions of Indians by breaking language barriersnbspAnother key highlight was ParadigmITs Sovereign AI Box designed to strengthen data security and support the goals of the IndiaAI MissionIn a time when data privacy is critical such indigenous solutions signal Indias intent to build secure and selfreliant AI systemsnbspStartups also made a strong impact at the summit Skye Air Mobility showcased its achievement of completing 36 million autonomous deliveries while saving more than 1000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissionsnbspThe companys work demonstrates how AI is being used not just for efficiency but also for sustainabilityThe summit also brought forward inspiring grassroots innovations Tarakram Maram presented his AI Trainer Machine which aims to democratize AI education and make advanced learning tools available to a wider populationnbspFrontier Markets demonstrated how AI is empowering rural women entrepreneurs by helping them improve business decisions and expand their reachAmong the young innovators Drublet Innovation Private Limited stood out Founded by two students Agniva and Aaditya the startup is pushing the boundaries of autonomous navigation and roboticsnbspTheir work reflects the ambition and technical capability of Indias youth the reporter addednbspState pavilions including Bihars showcased how regional governments are adopting AIdriven solutions to solve local challenges the reporter mentionedIANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/galgotias-robot-incident-an-isolated-one-india-at-forefront-of-ai-revolution-661794.html Wed, 18 Feb 2026 14:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/google-aiming-to-infuse-ai-at-all-levels-in-india-sundar-pichai-661814.html New Delhi Feb 18 IANS Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai on Wednesday said Google is infusing artificial intelligence AI at all levels in India to improve healthcare support startups agriculture and morenbspnbspPichai earlier met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed Indias growing work in artificial intelligence and how Google can collaborate with the countrys talented students and professionalsnbspGreat to meet with PM Modi this morning We discussed how Google is helping with his mission to infuse AI at all levels in India to improve health expand access to information in all languages support startups agriculture and so much more said Google CEO in an X postThank you Prime Minister for bringing us together for this incredible summit he addednbspPM Modi earlier said the conversation with Pichai focused on Indias rapid progress in AI and opportunities for deeper cooperation between the government and Google in the fieldnbspHe highlighted the importance of leveraging Indias skilled youth and technology professionals to further strengthen the countrys position in artificial intelligencenbspIt was a delight to meet Sundar Pichai on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit in Delhi the Prime Minister Modi statedTalked about the work India is doing in AI and how Google can work with our talented students and professionals in this field PM Modi mentionednbspThe Prime Ministers Office PMO later shared highlights of the meeting on its official YouTube channel offering glimpses of the discussion between the two leadersnbspThe India AI Impact Summit 2026 is being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from February 16 to 20 The summit has brought together policymakers industry leaders academicians innovators and civil society representatives from across the worldnbspIt aims to provide a global platform for discussions on strengthening cooperation in artificial intelligence More than 110 countries and 30 international organisations are participating in the summit Around 20 Heads of State or Government and nearly 45 ministers are attending the eventIANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/google-aiming-to-infuse-ai-at-all-levels-in-india-sundar-pichai-661814.html Wed, 18 Feb 2026 15:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/ai-must-be-designed-as-public-infrastructure-accessible-to-all-amitabh-kant-661777.html New Delhi Feb 17 Former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant on Tuesday stressed that artificial intelligence AI must be designed and governed as public infrastructure just like Indiaâs digital public infrastructure so that its benefits reach every section of society Speaking at the âAI for the Next Billionâ session organised by CEEW India during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 here Kant said AI should be accessible affordable multilingual and accountableHe underlined that technology can only be considered meaningful if it works for lowincome users people in lowbandwidth areas nonEnglish speakers women farmers MSMEs and frontline workersKant said that if AI fails to serve these groups it is not fit for purposeâAI must be designed and governed as public infrastructure accessible affordable multilingual and accountable much like Indiaâs Digital Public Infrastructureâ Kant saidâIf AI does not work for lowincome users low bandwidth environments nonEnglish speakers women farmers MSMEs and frontline workers then it is not fit for purposeâ he addedHe explained that Indiaâs experience with digital public infrastructure shows how technology when designed for scale and inclusion can transform lives and expand opportunitiesKant further said that when AI is treated as public infrastructure governed with trust and deployed at a population scale it has the potential to become one of the most powerful tools for inclusion in this generationâSuch an approach can help ensure that the AI revolution does not remain limited to a few but instead benefits millions across the countryâ Kant addedHe added that India has a unique opportunity to lead by example by building AI systems that are peoplecentric and inclusive setting a global benchmark for how emerging technologies should be developed and governedâIf designed as public infrastructure governed with trust and deployed at population scale AI can become the most powerful inclusion tool of our generationâ Kant mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/ai-must-be-designed-as-public-infrastructure-accessible-to-all-amitabh-kant-661777.html Tue, 17 Feb 2026 16:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/adani-group-commits-100-billion-to-sovereign-ai-infrastructure-661740.html Ahmedabad Feb 17 The Adani Group on Tuesday announced one of the worldâs largest integrated energycompute commitments a direct investment of 100 billion to develop renewableenergypowered hyperscale AIready data centres by 2035 The initiative will establish a longterm sovereign energy and compute platform designed to position India as a global leader in the emerging Intelligence RevolutionThe investment is expected to catalyse by 2035 an additional 150 billion across server manufacturing advanced electrical infrastructure sovereign cloud platforms and supporting industriesTogether this is projected to create a 250 billion AI infrastructure ecosystem in India over the decadeThe world is entering an Intelligence Revolution more profound than any previous Industrial Revolution said Gautam Adani Chairman of the Adani GroupNations that master the symmetry between energy and compute will shape the next decade India is uniquely positioned to leadâ the Adani Group Chairman saidHe added that at Adani we are building on our foundation in data centres and green energy to expand into the complete fivelayer AI stack focused on Indias technological sovereigntyThis roadmap builds on AdaniConnexs existing 2 GW national data centre expanding toward a 5 GW target that positions India at the epicentre of the global AI economyThis vision is anchored by landmark partnerships with Google to establish the nations largest gigawattscale AI data centre campus in Visakhapatnam alongside additional campuses in Noida and with Microsoft spanning Hyderabad and PuneThe Adani Group is also in discussion with other major players seeking to establish large scale campuses across India thereby further cementing its position as Indias premier AI infrastructure partnerIn line with this vision the Group will also deepen its data centre partnership with Flipkart advancing the collaboration toward the development of a second AI data centre purposebuilt to support Flipkarts nextgeneration digital commerce highperformance computing and largescale AI workloadsThe 5 GW deployment will create the worldâs largest integrated data centre platform combining renewable power generation transmission infrastructure and hyperscale AI compute within a single coordinated architectureThis longterm commitment by the Adani Group establishes one of the worldâs most ambitious integrated energy and AI infrastructure platforms ever undertaken at national scaleThe Adani Group invites global technology companies sovereign institutions and innovation partners to participate and collaborate in building Indiaâs nextgeneration AI infrastructure platform IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/adani-group-commits-100-billion-to-sovereign-ai-infrastructure-661740.html Tue, 17 Feb 2026 14:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/ai-impact-summit-2026-puts-india-on-global-ai-map-raghav-chadha-661687.html New Delhi Feb 16 IANS The AI Impact Summit 2026 has placed India firmly on the global map in shaping discussions around artificial intelligence and technology governance Aam Aadmi Party MP Raghav Chadha said on MondaynbspIn his address at the summit here Chadha said India is increasingly being seen as an important voice in global debates on how artificial intelligence should be governed developed and used in the public interestnbspArtificial intelligence is no longer just a technology issue but a strategic one he underlinedCountries that have strong computing power and infrastructure are likely to dominate the world in the coming years he saidnbspProcessing capacity and digital infrastructure will decide which nations lead in the AI era Chadha statednbspHe also pointed to what he described as three global monopolies in artificial intelligencenbspControl over AI design rests with a handful of companies manufacturing is concentrated in limited regions and exports are restricted through policies such as those imposed by the United States Chadha saidWhile India does not yet control these three pillars the country has a major strength in human capital he addednbspEmphasising Indias talent pool Chadha noted that the world is increasingly looking towards India for AI professionals and skilled manpower However he cautioned that talent alone is not enoughnbspTalent without compute is aspiration he said stressing that India must ensure access to highend computing resources diversify supply chains and build strong domestic infrastructure to truly compete on the global stageDrawing a historical comparison Chadha said that just as oil gas and steel defined global power in the 20th century artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing will shape geopolitical influence in the 21st centurynbspHe added that India must act decisively to secure its place in this new global ordernbspEarlier in the day Chadha shared his views on X saying he was excited to speak at the AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat MandapamnbspThis is a defining moment for how we shape AI in the public interest It will influence how we govern build and protect citizens in the years ahead the Rajya Sabha member saidIANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/ai-impact-summit-2026-puts-india-on-global-ai-map-raghav-chadha-661687.html Mon, 16 Feb 2026 15:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/companies-csr-expenditure-crosses-rs-144-lakh-crore-384-crore-filings-done-via-mca21-661420.html New Delhi Feb 11 Annual filings by companies on development Corporate Social Responsibility CSR expenditure reached over Rs 144159 crore in five fiscals 201920 to 202324 according to the government All data related to CSR expenditure filed by companies in MCA21 registry including statewise yearwise companywise and projectwise is available in public domain said Minister of State for Corporate Affairs Harsh Malhotra in a written reply to a question in Rajya SabhaâCSR is a Boarddriven process and the Board of the company is empowered to plan decide execute and monitor CSR activities of the companyâ said the ministerRule 8 of the Companies CSR Policy Rules 2014 provides that every company having average CSR obligation of Rs 10 crore or more in the three immediately preceding financial years will undertake impact assessment through an independent agency of their CSR projects having outlays of Rs one crore or more and which have been completed not less than one year before undertaking the impact studyThe minister also informed that the 20212025 period saw about 384 crore filings done via MCA21Of these 333 crore filings were approved through Straight Through Process 408 lakh filings were approved by the concerned Registrar of Companies and Regional Directors while 83 lakhs forms were rejected by the concerned officersâVersion3 of MCA21 MCA21 V3 has been launched to promote Ease of Doing Business strengthen compliance and enhance transparencyâ said the minister Through MCA21 V3 functionalities like Web filings LLP Module Company module eEnforcement eAdjudication eConsultation eBook Learning Management System have already been implementedMoreover a help desk mechanism to address grievances related to the MCA21 portal has been established During the FY 202526 up to January 31 2026 316877 help desk tickets were raised on the portal of which about 98 per cent were successfully resolvedThese tickets encompassed a range of issues including technical problems awareness issues processingrelated requests and stakeholder suggestions or feedback said the minister MCA21 is a transactionheavy system processing a large number of eforms every year IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/companies-csr-expenditure-crosses-rs-144-lakh-crore-384-crore-filings-done-via-mca21-661420.html Wed, 11 Feb 2026 11:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/gold-silver-prices-jump-as-us-dollar-weakens-661253.html Mumbai Feb 9 Gold and silver prices surged sharply on Monday due to a weaker US dollar and persistent geopolitical uncertainties MCX gold February futures jumped 131 per cent to Rs 157484 per 10 grams around 1045 am on an intraday basis Meanwhile MCX silver March futures climbed 481 per cent to Rs 261900 per kgOn the MCX silver prices earlier in the day had jumped as much as 6 per cent to its days high of Rs 264885 per kg before a round of profit bookingThe US dollar touched its lowest level since February 4 making greenbackpriced metals cheaper for overseas buyersEven as Iranâs top diplomat called USâIran nuclear talks a âgood startâ on Friday Tehran has reiterated that the country would retain its right to enrich uranium Experts anticipate that geopolitical tensions may persist for longer continuing to drive investors to safehaven assetsMarket hopes of further rate cuts by the US Federal Reserve got stronger after San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly called for one or two more interest rate cuts to alleviate weakness in the labour market US Fed rate cut hopes remain another supporting factor for gold and silver prices analysts saidGold has support at Rs 154000 and Rs 1518000 zones while resistance at Rs 157700 and Rs 160000 Silver has support at Rs 236600 and Rs 244000 levels while resistance at Rs 255500 and Rs 262600 an analyst saidSilvers sharp surge from Rs 60000 to Rs 320000 could lead to a phase of consolidation at elevated levels or rebalancing by market participants becomes more likely according to a recent reportStructural supply deficits and steady industrial demand continue to underpin the bullish bias in silver Persistent safehaven demand steady centralbank accumulation and expectations of accommodative global monetary conditions continue to underpin prices of yellow metal it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/gold-silver-prices-jump-as-us-dollar-weakens-661253.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 01:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/adani-international-school-hosts-iris-national-fair-to-boost-indias-emerging-stem-talent-661266.html Ahmedabad Feb 9 Showcasing Indiaâs emerging science technology engineering and mathematics STEM talent Adani International School ADIS Shantigram hosted the IRIS National Fair 2025â26 from February 68 The threeday national programme Cohort 2 brought together 75 student innovators from 12 states and 24 cities alongside educators researchers and mentors positioning Ahmedabad as a national platform for schoollevel STEM research and innovationAddressing the valedictory ceremony Rivaba Ravindrasinh Jadeja Minister of State for Education underscored the need to embed research and innovation early in the education journeyâResearch is no longer confined to laboratories of universities It begins in institutions like Adani International School When students start asking questions early and learn to test ideas and learn from failure they build the foundation of scientific temperament Schools must therefore become incubators of ideas and solutions not just centres of instructionâ she notedNamrata Adani Promoter ADIS and Director NonExecutive Adani Group said âAt Adani International School we believe curiosity must be nurtured early and learning must extend beyond textbooks Platforms like the IRIS National Fair allow students to question experiment and apply knowledge to realworld challengesâDesigned to move learning beyond classrooms and textbooks the fair combined student research exhibitions structured mentoring symposia and public engagement enabling participants to engage with realworld scientific inquiry and problemsolvingThe programme opened with a Principalsâ and Educatorsâ Conference that brought together school leaders from across Ahmedabad to deliberate on strengthening inquirybased STEM pedagogy and experiential classroom practices Students showcased original research through curated exhibitions supported by expert evaluation and mentoringThe valedictory ceremony was attended by senior leaders including Namrata Adani and Amit Singh Chief Executive Officer CEO International Energy Business Adani Group who spoke on behalf of the diversified conglomerateThe successful conclusion of IRIS National Fair 2025â26 highlighted the growing role of schools as catalysts for earlystage research collaboration and innovation strengthening the foundation for Indiaâs next generation of scientific thinkersAdani International School provides a global learning experience with futureready educational application It integrates an experiential teaching process with stateoftheart technology into its learning curriculum inspiring students to develop crucial life skills IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/adani-international-school-hosts-iris-national-fair-to-boost-indias-emerging-stem-talent-661266.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 02:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/dispatched-record-over-585-lakh-vehicles-via-rail-in-2025-maruti-suzuki-india-661268.html New Delhi Feb 9 Maruti Suzuki India Limited on Monday said it has set a new benchmark in green logistics by dispatching over 585 lakh vehicles through railways in 2025 a growth of 18 per cent over 2024 Maruti Suzukiâs share of rail mode in outbound logistics has grown exponentially rising from 51 per cent in 2016 to 26 per cent in 2025 significantly reducing carbon emissions countryâs oil imports and easing road congestion according to the automakerâThe year 2025 marks our highestever rail dispatch with over 585 lakh units During the year we strengthened our green logistic efforts through two landmark events â the inauguration of Indiaâs largest automobile inplant railway siding at our Manesar facility and second was we dispatched vehicles by rail to Kashmir valley through the worlds highest railway arch bridge over Chenab River a first by any automobile manufacturerâ said Hisashi Takeuchi MD and CEO Maruti Suzuki India LimitedâOur midterm goal is to increase railbased vehicle dispatches to 35 per cent by FY203031 contributing to Indiaâs netzero ambition by 2070â he addedSince FY 201415 Maruti Suzuki has transported over 28 lakh vehicles from 22 destinations servicing over 600 cities pan India through a hub and spoke model Currently Maruti Suzuki uses over 45 flexi deck rakes each with a capacity of carrying around 260 vehicles per tripIn 2025 rail dispatches from Maruti Suzukiâs inplant railway siding at Gujarat and Manesar facility accounted for 53 per cent of the companyâs total rail dispatchesMaruti Suzuki India Limited has adopted a comprehensive âCircular Mobilityâ approach to sustainability aiming to reduce its carbon footprint across the entire vehicle lifecycleâfrom design and production to logistics and endoflife vehicle ELV managementIt has been at the forefront of promoting railways as a sustainable and efficient mode of vehicle transportationâMaruti Suzuki India Limited has adopted a comprehensive âCircular Mobilityâ approach to sustainability aiming to reduce its carbon footprint across the entire vehicle lifecycleâfrom design and production to logistics and endoflife vehicle ELV managementâ said Takeuchi IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/dispatched-record-over-585-lakh-vehicles-via-rail-in-2025-maruti-suzuki-india-661268.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 02:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/diis-solidify-their-dominance-on-indian-equities-reach-206-pc-ownership-661273.html Mumbai Feb 9 The domestic institutional investors DIIs have remained key bidders pumping 234 billion in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 901 billion in full year 2025 â aided by steady SIP inflows into domestic MFs a report showed on Monday This strong participation has not only helped mitigate the effects of a spike in FII outflows which totalled 188 billion in 2025 but has also absorbed the continued surge in primary market issuances with IPOs and FPOs amounting to Rs 195 trillion for the year according to the report by Motilal Oswal Financial Services LtdThis structural shift in institutional ownership which has gained momentum since 2021 continues to strengthen as DII holdings reach new peaks touching 206 per cent while FII holdings remain stable at 184 per cent in Nifty 500 companies âWe believe a reversal in FII outflows could be a key triggerâ said the reportOver the past one year DII ownership rose 210 bp YoY 60bp QoQ to an alltime high of 206 per cent in December 2025 In contrast FII ownership dipped 50 bp YoY 10bp QoQ to 184 per cent compared to 189 per cent in December 2024âPromoter holdings which have historically remained rangebound continued to decline materially to an alltime low of 488 per cent 90bp YoY 50bp QoQ in December 2025 This sharp dip was driven by a recovery in the primary market over the last three quarters where high valuations and strong investor appetite have created an attractive opportunity for several promoters to liquidate their stakesâ said the reportOn a YoY basis DIIs raised their holdings in 22 out of 24 sectors The maximum increase in holdings was visible in EMS Technology Telecom Retail PSU Banks and Healthcare while Media and Logistics sectors experienced a reduction in holdings On a sequential basis DIIs recorded the maximum increase in holdings in the NBFC â NonLending Private Banks Capital Goods NBFCLending and Consumer sectors On a QoQ and YoY basis however FIIs raised their stakes in PSU Banks Telecom Oil amp Gas Chemicals NBFCLending Insurance and Metals said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/diis-solidify-their-dominance-on-indian-equities-reach-206-pc-ownership-661273.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/yotta-deploys-complete-bhashini-stack-to-enable-sovereign-ai-cloud-661274.html New Delhi Feb 9 Homegrown Yotta Data Services on Monday announced the successful deployment of BHASHINIâs endtoend sovereign AI cloud transformation on Yottaâs Government Community Cloud GCC and Shakti Cloud With this development BHASHINI now operates entirely on Indian cloud and GPU infrastructure ensuring that language datasets models and citizen interactions remain within Indiaâs jurisdictionThe deployment demonstrates how national digital public goods can be migrated from hyperscaler environments to indigenous cloud infrastructure while delivering up to 40 per cent performance improvement 20 to 30 per cent cost savings and sustained 9999 per cent uptimeThis was achieved with zero data loss across more than 200 TiB of data and over 35 billion filesThis was showcased at âThe India AI Sovereignty Dialoguesâ an official PreSummit Event of the AI Impact Summit 2026Abhishek Singh Additional Secretary MeitY and CEO of IndiaAI Mission said the successful migration of Bhashini to indigenous cloud and GPU platforms demonstrates that India can build scale and secure its sovereign AI systems for the public goodâIt underscores the IndiaAI Missionâs vision of developing sovereign compute capacity models and deploying AI applications that are responsive to Indiaâs unique requirements including the delivery of reliable realtime voicebased services at population scaleâ said SinghAccording to Amitabh Nag CEO Digital India BHASHINI Division the move to Yottaâs sovereign AI cloud gives BHASHINI greater control resilience and scalability as it continues to serve Indiaâs linguistic diversityâThis transformation strengthens our ability to deliver inclusive realtime multilingual services and marks a major step forward for Digital Public Infrastructure in AI It will also serve as a blueprint for future deployments as we transition to a fully sovereign stackâ Nag addedThe migration covered BHASHINIâs complete AI stack including multilingual datasets models APIs containerised services orchestration pipelines databases and storageâYottaâs successful deployment of BHASHINI on Shakti cloud marks a defining moment for Indiaâs data sovereignty journey This transition highlights that hyperscale missioncritical AI platforms can be built and operated entirely on sovereign infrastructure without compromiseâ said Sunil Gupta CoFounder Managing Director and CEO Yotta Data Services IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/yotta-deploys-complete-bhashini-stack-to-enable-sovereign-ai-cloud-661274.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-sarvam-ai-outperforms-global-peers-in-ocr-speech-models-661278.html Mumbai Feb 9 Bengaluruâbased startup Sarvam AI has claimed that its latest vision and speech models have outperformed larger global rivals Google Gemini and ChatGPT on key optical character recognition and textâtoâspeech benchmarks for Indian languages In a post on X Sarvam AIs coâfounder Pratyush Kumar said Sarvam Vision achieves stateoftheart accuracy of 843 per cent on the olmOCRBench English only subset outperforming frontier models like Gemini 3 Pro and recent OCR models like DeepSeek OCR 2On OmniDocBench v15 English only subset Sarvam Vision achieved 9328 per cent overall score excelling in complex formulas and layout parsing and being within touching distance of the current state of the art Kumar addedKumar also said the companyâs Bulbul V3 textâtoâspeech model supports 35 voices across all 22 scheduled Indian languages and can handle different quality scans and contentOn Indian languages Sarvam Vision is the best model by far while supporting all 22 scheduled Indian languages he claimedThe Vision series includes a 3âbillionâparameter stateâspace model capable of image captioning scene text recognition chart interpretation and complex table parsingSarvam AI said its focus is on making artificial intelligence widely accessible to everyone in India We want India to embrace the most important technological shift of our time with confidence and control Our ambition is to build foundational components and apply them to the countrys unique needs the AI company saidKumar cited several examples on social media where the platform accurately extracted technical jargon from complex tables with merged rows and columns Further it showed Sarvam AI extracting data out of a chart from the latest Economic SurveyBeyond documents his posts showed Sarvam Vision demonstrating general natural scene understanding where it understood a photo of beautiful scenery and accurately described itUnion IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a recent post on X that the startupâs work reflected the success of Indiaâs AI mission IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-sarvam-ai-outperforms-global-peers-in-ocr-speech-models-661278.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/sensex-nifty-post-strong-gains-amid-positive-cues-on-india-us-trade-deal-661295.html Mumbai Feb 9 The Indian equity markets posted strong gains on Monday for the second consecutive session buoyed by the announcement of an interim framework for the IndiaâUS trade deal At the closing bell the Sensex gained 485 points or 058 per cent to settle at 84065 The Nifty surged 173 points or 068 per cent to close at 25867The broader markets posted stronger gains than benchmark indices as Nifty Midcap 100 index added 158 per cent while the NSE Smallcap 100 surged 264 per centSupportive cues from broader Asian markets also helped sustain the positive momentum through the sessionBuying interest was visible in PSU banks consumer durables realty defence pharma and auto stocks while IT stocks showed mixed trends amid ongoing assessment of global technology developmentsAll sectoral indices traded with gains Nifty Media surged 437 per cent the biggest gainer while Nifty Consumer Durables climbed 360 per cent Nifty PSU Bank rose 334 per cent Nifty Realty gained 261 per cent and Nifty Metal added 156 per centAnalysts said participation remained selective after the strong initial uptick as investors refrained from aggressive positioning ahead of key global and domestic macro cuesOverall the market appears to be in a phase of gradual recovery and consolidation with the nearterm direction likely to be driven by global macro developments currency movements and the sustainability of riskon sentiment reflected in foreign fund flows they addedThe Indian rupee surged 012 per cent against the dollar to 9068 per dollar on MondayImmediate support lies at 25550â25600 followed by a stronger demand area near 25450â25500 market watchers saidBank Nifty is currently consolidating around the 60500â60700 zone reflecting healthy digestion of recent gains rather than distribution they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/sensex-nifty-post-strong-gains-amid-positive-cues-on-india-us-trade-deal-661295.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-leads-in-several-indicators-in-global-network-readiness-index-improves-its-position-661299.html New Delhi Feb 9 The government on Monday said India has improved its global âNetwork Readiness Index 2025â NRI 2025 position by four slots and is now placed at 45th rank leading in several indicators The report has been published by the Portulans Institute an independent nonprofit research and educational institute based in Washington DCâIndia has not only improved its ranking but has also improved its score from 5363 out of 100 in 2024 to 5443 out of 100 in 2025 It is noteworthy that India leads in several indicatorsâ said Ministry of CommunicationsThe report maps the networkbased readiness landscape of 127 economies based on their performance on four pillars Technology People Governance and Impact covering a total of 53 indicatorsAccording to the report India secured 1st rank in âAnnual investment in telecommunication servicesâ âAI scientific publicationsâ âICT services exportsâ and âEcommerce legislationâ 2nd rank in âFTTHBuilding Internet subscriptionsâ âMobile broadband internet traffic within the countryâ and âInternational Internet bandwidthâ and 3rd rank in âDomestic market scaleâ and âIncome InequalityâThe ministry said India now has greater network readiness than would be expected given its income level The country is ranked second in the group of lowermiddleincome countriesCommunications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said recently that India now has worldâs lowest data costs and highest data usage driven by robust digital infrastructure There are more than 120 crore mobile users in the country and the 4G network is expected to reach every village by June this yearBSNL has installed a total of 97068 4G sites and 93511 sites are âOnAirâ till October 31 2025 The staterun telecom operation aims to upgrade all 4G towers to 5G within the next few monthsMeanwhile the 5G services have been rolled out in all states and union territories UTs across the country and presently these are available in 999 per cent of the districtsTelecom service providers TSPs have installed 508 lakh 5G Base Transceiver Stations BTSs across rural and urban area of the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-leads-in-several-indicators-in-global-network-readiness-index-improves-its-position-661299.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-gdp-likely-to-grow-64-pc-in-fy27-fastest-among-g20-economies-report-661301.html New Delhi Feb 9 Indiaâs real gross domestic product GDP is likely to expand 64 per cent in fiscal 2026â27 the fastest among G20 economies driven by strong domestic consumption and policy measures a new report has said The report from Moodyâs Ratings said the countryâs banking system outlook remains broadly favourable amid sufficient reserves to absorb loan lossesThe operating environment for banks will remain strong in 2026 supported by robust macroeconomic conditions and structural reforms it saidThe rationalisation of the goods and services tax GST in September 2025 and an earlier increase in personal income tax thresholds will help improve affordability for consumers and support consumptionled growth the global brokerage mentionedIt expects the Reserve Bank of India RBI to ease policy further in 2026â27 only if there are clear signs of a slowdown in activity adding that inflation remaining under control would allow the central bank flexibilityThe report forecasts systemwide loan growth to reach 1113 per cent in FY27 from 106 per cent in FY26 yeartodate adding that corporate loan quality should stay healthy supported by stronger balance sheets and improved profitability among large firmsRecoveries will taper as banks have resolved stressed loans to large corporate the report saidThe estimates from ratings agency on FY27 growth is lower than the 68â72 per cent range projected in the Finance Ministryâs Economic Survey According to official estimates growth for the current fiscal is expected to touch 74 per centThe ratings agency had earlier said in a report that decrease in effective GST rates however could enhance private consumption and support Indias economic growthThe RBI Monetary Policy Committee MPC in its first policy review of 2026 kept the repo rate unchanged at 525 per centAnalysts said that RBIs decision to keep the policy rate unchanged reflected a favourable assessment of growth and inflation dynamicsThe RBI is expected to maintain an extended pause due to positive cyclical upswing and confidence from successful conclusion of multiple trade deals they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-gdp-likely-to-grow-64-pc-in-fy27-fastest-among-g20-economies-report-661301.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-services-led-growth-more-resilient-than-chinas-661303.html New Delhi Feb 9 India has emerged as the worldâs fastestgrowing major economy with robust growth projections indicating that it will outpace several peers in the coming decades a media report said Indiaâs servicesled model powered by technology finance digital infrastructure and professional services offers notable resilience compared to Chinaâs manufacturingheavy approach which faces cyclical vulnerabilities from global trade disruptions and domestic imbalances according to an article in One World OutlookThe article states that Chinaâs manufacturing sector drove much of the countryâs rise with its share in GDP hovering around 3640 per cent in earlier decades before a gradual decline to about 25 per cent in 2025 according to national statistics This reflects a deliberate shift toward highervalue activities and services now over 5057 per cent of GDP but manufacturing continues as the core engine of exports employment for over 100 million people and geopolitical leverageChinaâs exportoriented factories have weathered challenges like US tariffs through diversification to emerging markets yielding record trade surpluses in 2025 However this model exposes vulnerabilities overcapacity reliance on external demand property sector slumps and weak domestic consumption amplify cyclical risks Industrial output grew solidly in 2025 but investment in manufacturing slowed sharply in the latter half amid trade uncertainties the article pointed outIn contrast Indiaâs services sector has solidified as the dominant driver In 202425 services accounted for approximately 55 per cent of GVA up from around 51 per cent a decade earlier with subsectors like financial real estate and professional services contributing nearly 23 per cent and trade hotels transport and communications around 18 per centThis services tilt stems from Indiaâs early investments in human capital English proficiency enabling explosive growth in IT and business process outsourcingThe tech industry exemplifies Indiaâs edge Indiaâs ITBPM sector generated substantial export revenues with software services leading growth at around 1314 per cent annually in recent years Services exports surged doubling prepandemic growth rates to 14 per cent in FY23FY25 making India the worldâs seventhlargest services exporter share rising from 2 per cent in 2005 to 43 per cent in 2024 Professional consulting and management services grew even faster at nearly 26 per cent This export strength provides a stable foreign exchange inflow cushioning against merchandise trade deficits the article statedFinance and fintech further bolster this resilience Indiaâs digital infrastructure particularly the Unified Payments Interface UPI has revolutionised transactions UPI processes billions of transactions monthly often exceeding 20 billion with nearzero costs interoperability and widespread adoption over 500 million users This publicled open platform contrasts with Chinaâs closed ecosystems dominated by private giants like Alipay and WeChat Pay UPIâs growth has fueled fintech innovation financial inclusion and lowvolatility economic activity enabling seamless digital commerce and reducing informalityProfessional services including consulting legal and advisory add highvalue tradable components less susceptible to physical supply chain shocks Unlike manufacturing which requires massive capital and faces tariff barriers or geopolitical tensions these services scale via digital delivery leveraging Indiaâs skilled workforceChinaâs manufacturing model while powerful for scale and jobs carries risks vulnerability to protectionism eg US tariffs overreliance on investment leading to imbalances and slower adaptation to services transitions Indiaâs approach though employmentabsorptive challenges persist services create fewer mass jobs than manufacturing offers adaptability in a digital knowledgedriven eraLooking ahead Indiaâs services dominance positions it well for future growth amid AI digital transformation and global demand for techenabled solutions Sustained reforms could further amplify this edge while China navigates its rebalancing the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-services-led-growth-more-resilient-than-chinas-661303.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/thyroid-health-a-national-priority-time-to-push-awareness-and-research-partnerships-minister-661304.html Mumbai Feb 9 Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday said that thyroid disorders are a national concern linked to productivity demographics and nation building Dr Singh urged the Indian Thyroid Society and the wider medical fraternity to intensify awareness research collaboration and early detection according to an official statementThe minister told the endocrinologists at a conference of the Indian Thyroid Society that undiagnosed thyroid conditions particularly hypothyroidism reduce energy levels workforce efficiency and longterm output in a country where over 70 per cent of the population are aged under 40 yearsAs around 42 million Indians are living with thyroid disorders Singh said the scale of the challenge demands proportionate research attention and public health responseHe called for stronger multidisciplinary coordination across life sciences medical sciences and allied sectors to address thyroid disorders in a comprehensive manner adding that medical issues of this magnitude cannot be left to a single domain and require wider societal awareness and institutional collaborationHypothyroidism affects nearly 11 per cent of adults and many remain undiagnosed Undetected hypothyroidism in pregnancy causes congenital hypothyroidism and irreversible neurodevelopmental harm in childrenFurther the minister highlighted the Biopharma Shakti Mission Indiaâs biotech advances and the establishment of the Anusandhan National Research Foundation and a Rs 1 lakh crore Research Development and Innovation framework to strengthen research with private and philanthropic participationHe cited Indiaâs progress in biotechnology including the development of the countryâs first indigenouslydeveloped antibiotic effective against resistant infections successful gene therapy trials for haemophilia and the rollout of the DNA vaccine during the COVID19 pandemic IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/thyroid-health-a-national-priority-time-to-push-awareness-and-research-partnerships-minister-661304.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/isro-fast-tracks-indias-space-station-plans-80-satellites-in-pipeline--661330.html Samastipur Bihar Feb 9 India is making rapid progress towards establishing its own space station while simultaneously advancing the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission ISRO Programme Director Imtiyaz Ahmed said on Monday Work is currently underway on nearly 80 satellites that will play a crucial role in scientific research innovation disaster management internal security navigation and relaying critical signals for the Gaganyaan mission back to Earth the senior ISRO official saidSpeaking to IANS in Samastipur on the occasion of the golden jubilee of Indiaâs first indigenously developed satellite Aryabhata Ahmed noted that such missions are central to strengthening Indiaâs spacebased capabilities and technological selfrelianceHe said ISRO is presently engaged in several major projects including Earth Observation missions Navigation with Indian Constellation NVS the Indian Data Relay Satellite System IDRSS Gaganyaan and the Venus Orbiter Mission Together these initiatives reflect Indiaâs expanding footprint in space science exploration and applied technologiesRecalling the historic launch of Aryabhata on April 19 1975 Ahmed said the satellite named after the ancient Indian mathematician and astronomer represented a landmark moment in Indiaâs scientific journey Despite limited technological resources and infrastructure during the Cold War era the success of Aryabhata laid the foundation for future space missions and helped ISRO emerge as a globally respected space agency Its legacy he said continues to inspire generations of scientists and engineersTo mark the golden jubilee of Aryabhata the ISRO has launched a nationwide outreach programme for school students As part of this initiative the first programme in Bihar was held on Monday at Holy Mission High School in Samastipur with students from five different 102 schools participatingDuring the programme students were introduced to the ISROâs work and future opportunities in the space sector Scientists also shared their personal experiences noting that many of them studied in Hindimedium schools encouraging students to dream big and aspire to careers in space science and technology IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/isro-fast-tracks-indias-space-station-plans-80-satellites-in-pipeline--661330.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-energy-sourcing-decisions-guided-by-national-interest-centre-661331.html New Delhi Feb 9 Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Monday that Indiaâs energy sourcing decisions are guided by national interest with an emphasis on diversification and competitive pricing These remarks responded to reports suggesting that India may reduce Russian oil imports after announcing an interim trade agreement with the United States In response to questions regarding Russian crude the Foreign Secretary emphasised that as a developing economy and significant net importer India must prioritise stable and affordable energy suppliesHe stated that protecting Indian consumers is âthe governmentâs foremost priorityâ and noted that India relies on imports for 80 to 85 per cent of its energy needs a dependence that can contribute to inflationHe explained that the government seeks to ensure that âconsumers receive adequate energy at the right price and through reliable and secure suppliesâ He further stated that the energy import policy is driven entirely by these objectivesMisri highlighted the global uncertainties present in energy markets and emphasised Indiaâs role in promoting price stability He noted âIndia is not just one of the largest consumers of energy but it also plays an important role as a stabilising factor in global energy marketsâThe Foreign Secretary stated âThe key drivers of our energy policy are adequate availability fair pricing and reliability of supplyâHe also explained that energy sourcing is managed by oil companies in both the public and private sectors and that these companies make decisions based on prevailing market conditionsMisri stated âWhat I can firmly and confidently say is that whether it is the government or our businesses national interests will guide our choicesâMinister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri informed the Rajya Sabha that Indiaâs strategic petroleum reserves are sufficient to last 74 days in the event of global supply disruptions The Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited ISPRL currently holds approximately 4094 million metric tonnes of crude representing about 77 per cent of total storage capacityPuri also noted that India is the worldâs thirdlargest consumer of crude oil and the fourthlargest refiner with refining capacity increasing from 260 to 320 million metric tonnes per annum IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-energy-sourcing-decisions-guided-by-national-interest-centre-661331.html Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/revised-inflation-data-details-on-us-trade-deal-key-triggers-for-markets-next-week-661191.html New Delhi Feb 8 The coming week features several important domestic and global triggers for the stock markets including inflation with revised base year of 2024 and more details on the IndiaUS trade deal In India investors will closely track retail inflation data due on February 12 with updated base year followed by WPI inflation and foreign exchange reserves data on February 13 for insights into price trends and external sector stability Further details regarding the IndiaUS interim trade deal framework will also remain in focus said analystsâThe earnings calendar stays active with key results expected which may drive stockspecific actionâ they notedGlobally participants will monitor a heavy US data calendar and the performance of the Nasdaq Composite following its recent decline Geopolitical developments will also remain in focus particularly the ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran Any setback in the talks could heighten volatility across global financial and commodity markets as it may increase the risk of a US military intervention and a broader regional conflict in the Middle East said market watchersNotably movements in the Indian rupee â following its sharp recovery from a historic low after the announcement of the IndiaâUS trade agreement â and trends in foreign portfolio investor flows will remain key determinants of nearterm market direction serving as important gauges of risk appetite and liquidity conditions said Ponmudi R CEO Enrich Money a SEBIregistered online trading and wealth tech firm With the Union Budget 2026 and the RBIâs monetary policy decisions now largely digested Indian equity markets have entered a consolidation phase shifting investor focus toward implementation capex execution and the pace of actual spending he mentioned Overall sentiment remains cautiously optimistic with markets expected to stay eventdriven in the near term tracking global cues capital flows and geopolitical developments in the MiddleEast said analysts The Nifty index witnessed significant volatility last week The index recorded a weekly high of 26341 and a low of 24679 before settling at 2569370 registering a strong gain of 868 points On the weekly chart Nifty formed a strong bullish candlestick and closed decisively above the 20week EMA reflecting a positive shift in mediumterm trend structure and strengthening bullish sentimentâImmediate resistance is placed at 25800 followed by 26000 and 26200 levels On the downside support is seen at 25500 and 25200 A breakdown below 25100 could intensify downside pressure and accelerate corrective movesâ said Aakash Shah Technical Research Analyst Choice Broking IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/revised-inflation-data-details-on-us-trade-deal-key-triggers-for-markets-next-week-661191.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 14:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/tns-udangudi-thermal-plant-enters-first-trial-phase-commissioning-expected-by-march-661193.html Chennai Feb 8 Trial operations have commenced at the first 660 MW unit of the Udangudi Supercritical Thermal Power Plant in Thoothukudi district marking a significant step toward strengthening Tamil Naduâs power generation capacity Officials indicated that the unit is progressing steadily and is likely to be commissioned by MarchThe Udangudi project executed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited BHEL on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Power Generation and Distribution Corporation TANGEDCO consists of two supercritical units of 660 MW eachThe project launched in 2019 at an estimated cost of Rs 13077 crore is designed to improve efficiency and ensure a reliable power supply across the stateTo support an uninterrupted coal supply TANGEDCO has also developed an offshore coal jetty around eight kilometres off the coast of Kallamozhi The dedicated jetty will streamline the transportation of imported coal directly to the plant through a conveyor system once it becomes fully operationalAt present the jetty is awaiting mandatory operational certificationsThe first unit is nearing completion with most major components installedDuring the trial phase engineers conducted operational tests to evaluate coordination among different departments involved in generationAs part of preparations the plant sought over 20000 tonnes of coal from the Thoothukudi Thermal Power StationMore than 10000 tonnes were transported by road to the Udangudi facilityâs coal crushing unit to support the initial run The boiler of Unit 1 was lighted up following regulatory approvals and the unit was successfully synchronised with the Southern Region power gridPower generation during the trial averaged around 120 MW and briefly peaked at 200 MWThe unit was later shut down temporarily after testing and is scheduled to resume further runs to finetune performance and address minor technical issues identified during the processWork on the second unit is also progressing though turbinerelated installations remain pendingConstruction of major structures such as boilers and cooling towers has been largely completedWith commissioning of the first unit expected by March and the second by May the Udangudi plant is poised to add 1320 MW of capacity significantly boosting Tamil Naduâs energy security and meeting growing industrial and domestic demand IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/tns-udangudi-thermal-plant-enters-first-trial-phase-commissioning-expected-by-march-661193.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 14:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/centre-seeks-inputs-on-proposed-income-tax-rules-and-forms-661197.html New Delhi Feb 8 The government is seeking inputs from various stakeholders on the rules and forms in the Incometax Act 2025 which will come into effect from April 1 2026 it was announced on Sunday Before the final notification of the Income Tax Rules and Forms to encourage wider stakeholder participation the proposed Income Tax Rules and Forms have been uploaded on the official website according to Finance Ministry on SundayâThe corresponding Incometax Rules and related Forms have been prepared after broadbased consultation to align with the provisions of the Incometax Act 2025 Stakeholders are encouraged to study the same and make suggestions which will be compiled and considered for review before final notificationâ said CBDT in its notificationAs part of a wider consultative process the Central Board of Direct Taxes CBDT invites inputs and suggestions from stakeholders in the following four categories Simplification of Language reduction of Litigation reduction of Compliance Burden and identification of RedundantObsolete Rules and FormsStakeholders can submit their inputs by entering their name and mobile number followed by an OTPbased validation process All suggestions should clearly specify the relevant provision of the proposed Incometax Rules or the proposed Form no including the specific rule subrule or form number to which the recommendation pertains under the aforementioned four categories informed the ministryFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Budget Day that the Income Tax Act 2025 will come into effect from April 1 2026 and the IT forms have been redesigned such that ordinary citizens can comply without difficulty ease of livingThe new measures include exemption on insurance interest awards nil deduction certificates for small taxpayers and extension of the ITR filing deadline for nonaudit cases to August 31âIn July 2024 I announced a comprehensive review of the Income Tax Act 1961 this was completed in a record time and the Income Tax Act 2025 will come into effect from 1 April 2026 The forms have been redesigned such that ordinary citizens can comply without difficulty ease of livingâ she said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/centre-seeks-inputs-on-proposed-income-tax-rules-and-forms-661197.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 14:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/us-trade-deal-a-booster-shot-for-indias-ai-hardware-ecosystem-661208.html New Delhi Feb 8 IANS The finalisation of the first tranche of the IndiaUS trade deal comes as a booster shot for the AI hardware particularly advanced computing components as it is expected to significantly lower costs and facilitate domestic capacity buildingFor the first time AI compute infrastructure has effectively been treated as a strategic asset within a bilateral trade arrangement between two major economies a move that could have longterm implications for Indias technology landscape according to an article in Khalsa Vox news portalnbspOne of the sectors biggest challenges so far has been the steep import duties on enterprisegrade GPU servers which currently range between 20 and 28 per cent These levies have pushed up the cost of GPUbased services in India making them substantially more expensive than in competing hubs such as Singapore or the UAEnbspIndustry estimates suggest that rationalising duties could reduce the cost of setting up GPUenabled data centres by around 14 per cent potentially unlocking largescale investments across the country the article explainsnbspThe timing is also seen as favourable While India generates close to onefifth of the worlds data it hosts only a small fraction of global data centre capacity and an even smaller share of installed enterprise GPUsnbspWith global cloud and hyperscale companies expected to invest more than 80 billion in India by the end of the decade the trade framework is being viewed as a catalyst that could help bridge this gap and position the country as a serious contender in global AI compute services the article statesnbspIt also highlights that industry experts have emphasised the need for safeguards They are of the view that easier access to advanced hardware must go hand in hand with policies that protect data sovereignty national security and domestic value creation Without such measures there is a risk that India could end up providing lowmargin compute services while the real economic and strategic benefits flow to other countries the article addednbspIANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/us-trade-deal-a-booster-shot-for-indias-ai-hardware-ecosystem-661208.html Sun, 08 Feb 2026 16:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/us-senatorscallfor-a-probeinto-elon-musk-ledspacex-for-potential-chinese-links-661161.html New Delhi Feb 7 Two US Democratic senators Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts and Andy Kim from New Jersey have reportedly urged the Department of Defense DOD to conduct a review of billionaire Elon Muskled SpaceX The senators alleged that Chinese investors have secretly acquired stakes in the aerospace maker The Hill Reported In a letter to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth the legislators raised concerns about SpaceX a major contractor for the DOD They also cited recently unsealed court records and a ProPublica investigation from MarchâThese ties could pose a national security threat potentially jeopardising key military intelligence and civilian infrastructure and are at odds with the administrationâs policies on foreign investment from countries of concern in strategic industriesâ the senators wrote A SpaceX investor in testimony that was unsealed in October last year shared that the company had been aware of potential Chinese investment since 2015 As per the ProPublica report SpaceX allows Chinese investors to buy stakes in the company through offshore accounts The investigation also covered SpaceX executivesâ decision to cancel a 50 million investment in the companyâs stock from a Chinese firm after news of the deal broke The senators said the extent to which the DOD depends on SpaceX provides even greater reason for concern The company has billions of dollars in contracts with the department including a 59 billion launch service contract the report said âThe mere proposition that an adversary nation such as China could have leverage and influence over a company such as SpaceX one that underpins our national security apparatus is an unacceptable riskâ the senators wrote Both Warren and Kim also expressed specific concerns that the Chinese investors might use their influence to gain information about nonpublic company information to âundermine US national securityâ In addition the senators asked for Hegsethâs response by February 18 to several questions about Chinese influence at SpaceX They also sought a response to DODâs planned action to address potential security concerns related to these investments the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/us-senatorscallfor-a-probeinto-elon-musk-ledspacex-for-potential-chinese-links-661161.html Sat, 07 Feb 2026 16:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/health-minister-nadda-urges-youth-to-work-responsibly-give-back-to-society-661173.html New Delhi Feb 7 Union Minister for Health amp Family Welfare JP Nadda on Saturday urged youth to work responsibly and to give back to society Addressing the convocation ceremony 202526 of Manav Rachna Educational Institutions MREI Nadda said it is not just the culmination of an academic journey but the beginning of a new phase of responsibility towards the nation and society He emphasised that the graduating cohort is privileged to be entering their professional lives during the second phase of Amrit Kaal leading up to 2047 when India aspires to become a fully developed nation âThis phase presents both immense opportunities and equally significant responsibilities the youth must contribute meaningfully to the national developmentâ Nadda said âAlways carry the sentiment that society has enabled their success and in return they must strive to give back by serving society selflessly and meaningfullyâ said Nadda He also urged the graduating students to move forward guided by strong values ethical conduct and a commitment to public service During the ceremony the Minister also highlighted the transformative progress achieved under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the last 11 yearsâ23 AIIMS have been established up from just six earlier creating a robust network of stateoftheart healthcare institutions across the countryâ Nadda said He further stated that India has made remarkable advances across healthcare indicators ranging from maternal and child health to communicable and noncommunicable diseases especially in tuberculosis and malaria cases and deaths The Minister also highlighted a significant drop in outofpocket healthcare expenditure with initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and largescale population screening programmes making healthcare more accessible and affordable A total of 2150 students from diverse disciplines including engineering management law education sciences and healthcare were awarded degrees during the convocationThis included 521 undergraduate students 58 postgraduate students and 11 doctoral scholars marking a significant academic milestone for the graduating cohort IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/health-minister-nadda-urges-youth-to-work-responsibly-give-back-to-society-661173.html Sat, 07 Feb 2026 17:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/icmr-nivcelebrates74-years-ofscientificexcellencewith-school-students-in-pune-661007.html Pune Feb 5 The ICMRNational Institute of Virology NIV celebrated its 74th Foundation Day with a science outreach programme with school students to nurture scientific curiosity it said on Thursday On February 4 scientists from the ICMRNIV led a twophase outreach programme in coordination with Vijnana Bharati VIBHA and engaged with 1180 school students from classes 612 The experts engaged with 1130 students through visits to three schools across Pune and welcomed another 50 students along with their teachers for an interactive campus experience at ICMRâNIV Pune âStudents were introduced to key concepts of virology including different types of viruses insect and bird specimens and diagnostic kits Interactive videos posters and presentations showcased ICMRNIVâs contributions to public health while guided laboratory tours and demonstrations of diagnostic tools and PPE Personal Protective Equipment kits sparked scientific curiosity among young learnersâ said an official statement Dr Naveen Kumar Director ICMRNIV highlighted the instituteâs remarkable achievements upcoming research projects and future research vision The Director emphasised NIVâs mandate to focus on basic virology the development of medical countermeasures and pandemic preparedness He also noted that the upcoming zonal NIVs will concentrate on outbreak investigations within their respective zonesDr Rajiv Bahl Secretary Department of Health Research and Director General Indian Council of Medical Research in his keynote address spoke about âthe development of vaccines and new medical countermeasures against the diseases while underscoring the importance of institutional and industry collaborations in advancing Indiaâs vision of Viksit Bharatâ Appreciating ICMRNIVâs contributions to eliminating viral diseases Prof Shekar C Mande President Indian National Science Academy INSA emphasised the need for collective action for building a healthier and sustainable world for the next generation In August last year the Institute organised an Open School Day at two of its campuses in Pune to inspire the next generation of scientists and innovators A total of 369 school students studying in standards IX to XII from 26 different schools in Pune attended the session They were accompanied by 36 teachers coming from the participating schools Key research themes showcased included vectorborne diseases respiratory infections and zoonotic threats IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/icmr-nivcelebrates74-years-ofscientificexcellencewith-school-students-in-pune-661007.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/bharti-airtels-net-profit-falls-55-pc-to-rs-6-6305-crore-in-q3-661008.html Mumbai Feb 5 Leading telecom company Bharti Airtel on Thursday reported 55 per cent drop in net profit at Rs 66305 crore after exceptional items for the third quarter of fiscal year 2026 on yearonyear basis compared to Rs 147812 crore in the same period last fiscal The decline in profit is attributed to a high base effect from the previous year In the December quarter of FY24 Airtel had recorded an exceptional gain of Rs 75456 croreAdditionally the companys profit was impacted by an additional expense of Rs 2568 crore due to the new Labour CodesOn a quarterly basis the companys profit decreased by 23 per cent In the September quarter of FY26 the companys profit was Rs 67917 croreThe companys total revenue in the December quarter stood at Rs 546839 crore a 1992 per cent increase compared to Rs 45599 crore in the same period of the previous fiscal yearThe companys total expenses in the December quarter of the current fiscal year were Rs 231988 crore compared to Rs 205327 crore in the December quarter of FY25 This represents a 1298 per cent increase in expenses yearonyearâIndia revenue including passive infrastructure services increased by 14 per cent sequentially Africa delivered yet another quarter of exceptional performance with constant currency revenue growth of 58 per cent One of the reasons for our steppedup performance in Africa is the deployment of our homegrown digital stack that has sharpened our go to market excellence the secret sauce of Airtelâ said Gopal Vittal Executive Vice ChairmanBharti Airtel reported that its average revenue per user ARPU reached Rs 259 in the December quarter up from Rs 256 in September and Rs 245 in December 2024In the December quarter 26056 million GB of data was consumed on the companys network This represents a 66 per cent increase compared to the 24446 million GB of data in the September quarter and a 292 per cent increase compared to the 20174 million GB of data in the December quarter of the previous yearData consumption per user in the December quarter was 298 GB per month This is 5 per cent higher than the 283 GB per month in the September quarter and 215 per cent higher than the 245 GB in the December quarter of the previous yearAirtels employee count decreased on both quarterly and annual basis In the December quarter of FY26 the company had 24186 employees This figure is 205 less than in the September quarter of the current fiscal year and 340 less than in the December quarter of FY25 IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/bharti-airtels-net-profit-falls-55-pc-to-rs-6-6305-crore-in-q3-661008.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/morgan-stanley-turns-bullish-on-adani-energy-solutions-with-16-pc-upside-661011.html Mumbai Feb 5 Shares of Adani Energy Solutions Ltd AESL rose as much as 25 per cent to Rs 1013 apiece on Thursday despite weakness in broader markets after Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on the stock The foreign brokerage gave an âoverweightâ rating with a price target of Rs 1133 implying 16 per cent upside from yesterdayâs closing priceThe brokerage views AESL as a key beneficiary of Indiaâs longterm power grid expansion highlighting over Rs 10 trillion of expected transmission investment over the next decadeIn distribution it notes policy support for smart metering including subsidies and measures encouraging private participationThe global brokerage also highlights AESLâs strong execution track record citing timely and costefficient project delivery It notes the companyâs integrated presence across transmission distribution and smart metering positioning it as an endtoend grid infrastructure platformAdani Energy Solutions is described as a leading privatesector player in transmission and distribution with nearly 50 per cent share of privatesector transmission projects access to around 33 million consumers through the Mumbai and Mundra SEZ distribution areas and a meaningful presence in smart meteringThe report estimates a 21 per cent EBITDA CAGR between FY25 and FY30 with EBITDA expected to reach around Rs 2600 crore by FY30 Growth is expected to be driven by transmission project wins regulated distribution capex and execution of the smart metering order bookThe report identifies transmission as the strongest near to mediumterm growth driver supported by an inhand order book of about Rs 7800 crore as of Q3 FY26Morgan Stanley assumes AESL could win around 20 per cent of new TBCB projects representing a potential opportunity of Rs 20000 crore annuallyIn distribution the report points to opportunities arising from parallel licensing with AESL targeting a 20 per cent market shareThe regulated asset base is projected to grow at around 11 per cent CAGR supported by annual capex of roughly Rs 1600 croreIn smart metering AESL targets about 20 per cent market share Its 246 million meter order book is expected to be largely executed by FY27 with smart metering contributing around 9 per cent of FY28 EBITDA excluding nonIFRS adjustmentsThe market is increasingly viewing Adani stocks as value proposition Several Adani companies including Adani Power Adani Ports Adani Green Energy and Adani Enterprises have seen strong surge in their earnings over the past 23 years making these stocks an attractive proposition for longterm investorsMorgan Stanley has also covered Adani Ports amp SEZ as well as Adani Power citing both bullish reflecting confidence in the business models IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/morgan-stanley-turns-bullish-on-adani-energy-solutions-with-16-pc-upside-661011.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/sebi-proposes-to-extend-standing-swp-stp-instructions-to-demat-held-mutual-funds-661084.html Mumbai Feb 6 The Securities and Exchange Board of India SEBI has proposed to allow investors to set up standing instructions for systematic withdrawal plans SWP and systematic transfer plans STP for mutual fund units held in demat accounts a facility currently available only for units held in the statementâofâaccount mode Under the proposal demat investors would be able to do one time registration of SWP or STP mandates with depositories or stock Exchanges which removes the need to submit separate instructions for each SWP or STP transaction according to a statementCurrently investors holding MF units in demat form are required to place separate instructions for redemption of units through Delivery Instruction Slip DIS for each withdrawal or transferInvestors also give such instructions by way of twofactor authentication by the DP or through authorisation given by the investor to the stockbroker through Power of Attorney PoA or Demat Debit and Pledge Instructions DDPI However in case of PoA this reduces the direct control of investors on their investments the market regulator said in a statementTherefore SEBI proposed to extend the facility of standing instruction for SWPSTP may for the MF units held by investors in demat form thereby facilitating EoDB to the various stakeholders of the MF industryThe regulator has outlined a twoâphase rollout In the first phase investors would register unitâbased SWP and STP mandates through depositories or stockâexchanges with transactions executed on order entry platform of stock exchanges the statement saidThe second phase would move processing to registrars and transfer agents and could introduce more flexible options such as amountâbased and other variants of SWPs and STPs like as appreciationâbased withdrawals and swingâSTPsSEBI has invited public comments on the proposal until February 26 after which the final framework may be notified Analysts said the change would remove a key operational difference between dematâheld mutual funds and traditional mutual fund accounts and improve ease of longterm investing IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/sebi-proposes-to-extend-standing-swp-stp-instructions-to-demat-held-mutual-funds-661084.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/covid-vaccine-not-linked-to-decrease-in-fertility-study-661091.html New Delhi Feb 6 Amid several claims of vaccination and reduced fertility a study of nearly 60000 women showed that the Covid vaccine played no role in a decrease in childbirth Since the beginning of the Covid19 pandemic unfounded rumours have circulated especially on social media alleging that vaccination impairs chances of becoming pregnant In the later stages of the pandemic there was a decrease in the number of children born in some countries including Sweden This raised the question of whether this could be due to the new vaccines Our conclusion is that its highly unlikely that the mRNA vaccine against Covid19 was behind the decrease in childbirth during the pandemic said Toomas Timpka professor of social medicine at LinkÃping University Sweden The study published in the journal Communications Medicine found no statistically significant difference between vaccinated and unvaccinated women in childbirths and miscarriages We see no difference in childbirth rates between those who have taken the vaccine and those who havent Weve also looked at all registered miscarriages among those who became pregnant and we see no difference between the groups there either Timpka said Their analysis is based on a study of almost 60000 women aged 18 to 45 years in Sweden Of these women 75 per cent were vaccinated once or more against Covid from 2021 to 2024 The researchers used data on childbirths vaccinations miscarriages and deaths from health care records The results are in line with several previous studies that have not found any association between the Covid vaccine and fertilityImportantly the study examined conception and pregnancy in the general population unlike most previous research which âfocused on couples undergoing fertility treatmentâThe researchers also adjusted their findings for factors other than Covid that could have affected conception rates such as age and underlying illnessSeveral studies have shown that Covid infection can be dangerous for pregnant women but vaccination can reduce that risk substantiallyâPresent scientific evidence is clear that the protection against severe disease a Covid19 shot provides clearly outweighs possible risksâ Timpka said âWomen who want to start a family and who are on the fence about whether to get a Covid19 shot should not hesitate about having the vaccineâ Timpka added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/covid-vaccine-not-linked-to-decrease-in-fertility-study-661091.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/gold-silver-prices-slip-amid-profit-booking-dollar-gains-661092.html Mumbai Feb 6 Gold prices fell moderately while silver lost over 3 per cent on Friday due to a stronger dollar and a rout in global technology stocks MCX gold February futures fell 097 per cent to Rs 150590 per 10 grams around 1040 am on an intraday basis Meanwhile MCX silver March futures plunged 371 per cent to Rs 234775 per kgOn the MCX silver prices had declined as much as 6 per cent to their days low of Rs 229187 per kg earlier during the session before a strong reboundCommodities denominated in dollars became more expensive for holders of other currencies as the US dollar got poised for its strongest weekly performance since November hovering close to a twoweek highSilverâs sharp correction has reignited concerns over stretched valuations and heightened volatility even as analysts maintained that the white metals longerterm fundamentals remain constructiveInvestment banker JP Morgan warned that silvers rich valuations could trigger disproportionate downside during bouts of market stress adding that downside may be cushioned in the near term with prices stabilising for a recovery next yearAnalysts called the sharp drop in precious metals a technical correction due to longerterm drivers such as geopolitical uncertainty centralbank buying and macro uncertainty remaining intactThe broader uptrend in COMEX gold remains intact with the recent decline reflecting profit booking and healthy price digestion rather than trend reversal they saidMarket watchers advised investors to do staggered allocations rather than lumpsum investments to reduce entry riskStrong support is seen in the Rs 137000 to Rs 142000 zone for MCX gold futures while resistance is anchored around the Rs 165000 to Rs 175000 zone they saidRegarding COMEX silver they said that a sustained move beyond 85â92 could lead to an upside momentum up to 95â105 with the medium to longterm outlook remaining constructive on steady industrial demand and structural supply constraints IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/gold-silver-prices-slip-amid-profit-booking-dollar-gains-661092.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/amid-falling-demographics-chinanow-pushing-women-toward-more-childbirth-report-661099.html New Delhi Feb 6 From the strict onechild policy to curb population China is now pushing women to bear more children to boost the dwindling demographics said a media report The Myanmarbased MeKong News reported that over the past four decades the state not women has been dictating the countryâs birth policies While the onechild policy introduced in 1979 was justified as an urgent brake on population growth the country is now forcing women towards more children as it stares at a demographic collapse As per official data released in January the number of births in 2025 fell 17 per cent yearonyear to 792 million the lowest recorded since population records began in 1949âBeijing still treats reproduction as a lever of economic planning not as a matter of personal freedomâ the report said With an aim âto accelerate development lift incomes and ease pressure on resourcesâ the onechild policy subjected scores of women to forced abortions involuntary sterilisation and intense pressure tactics including detention fines and harassment The state coercion became an enforcement mechanism embedded into local governance where compliance was treated as administrative performanceâ the report said adding that it resulted in not just demographic control but also the institutionalisation of reproductive surveillanceFurthermore the traditional preference for sons also skewed the countrys sex ratio âUnder a onechild restriction the stakes rose dramatically the wrong gender became for some families an economic and cultural catastropheâ the report said It highlighted that the human cost was borne by girls whose births were often treated as mistakes in a system built to limit choice China ended the onechild policy and moved to a twochild policy in 2016 and later expanded to a threechild policy as the birth rate continued to slide âThe confusion of Chinaâs policy shifts reveals a deeper problem rather than recognising individual rights the government recalibrated reproductive limits based on economic needsâ the report said While the state has begun encouraging childbirth many couples are facing mounting pressures due to rising living costs job insecurity housing burdens and gendered workplace penalties Notably with the skewed sex ratio China now also has a shrinking pool of women of childbearing age âEven as the state now calls for more childbirth women remain caught between policy demands and social realitiesâ the report said It said that the consequences of decades of social engineering may now not be reversible even with policy Uturns IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/amid-falling-demographics-chinanow-pushing-women-toward-more-childbirth-report-661099.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/hyderabad-police-commissioner-flags-threat-posed-by-ai-agents-661100.html Hyderabad Feb 6 Hyderabad Police Commissioner VC Sajjanar has voiced concern over the threat posed by âAgentic AIâ and called for appropriate security measures trust framework and governance to tackle it The Police Commissioner through a social media post on Friday highlighted how autonomous multiagentic Artificial Intelligence AI systems act independently across critical sectors According to him the risks arise from both malicious exploitation and unintended autonomous behaviourThe IPS officer explained that the journey of AI has taken a new turn Until recently limited to chatbots that merely answered our questions or wrote text this technology has now evolved to the level of Agentic AIâsystems capable of taking decisions on their own and executing tasksâAutonomous robot agents have entered highly critical sectors such as banks hospitals and power grids However with these digital agents performing tasks independently without human intervention there is widespread concern that we are at risk of losing control over themâ he wroteThe Police Commissioner stressed the need for the common man to understand what this Agentic AI actually is For instance if you ask a regular AI How is the weather outside it merely provides information But Agentic AI is different realizing the weather is bad it might close the windows itself and adjust the AC temperature This means it doesnt just think it puts thoughts into actionFreezing accounts if suspicious transactions occur in the financial sector altering medication dosages based on a patients BP and sugar levels in hospitals and controlling machine performance in industries â these agents are doing such things on their own Their specialty lies in discussing with other AI agents and working together to complete a task This autonomy has now become a major challengeâSajjanar stated that these agents which take thousands of decisions in minutes without human supervision can lead to massive danger if they make even a small mistake anywhereâFor example if an AI agent makes a wrong decision in the stock market losses worth crores could occur in mere seconds Similarly there is a threat of cybercriminals hijacking the behaviour of these agents and forcing them to commit wrongdoings There is also the risk of Unintended Behaviour where the agent misunderstands the task assigned by the owner and takes a wrong path to achieve the goal That is why experts clarify that the reins of these ultramodern agents must remain in human handsâ he saidThe top cop is of the view that every AI agent must have a precise Digital Identity âJust as a human has an ID card in an organisation these software agents must also have identification Which agent opened which file When did it make changes To whom did it send information Every such movement must be recorded LoggingBecause of this if an accident happens by mistake we can immediately identify which agent caused it and rectify the issue Ultimately there must be strict rules Governance regarding how much freedom these agents should be given and what data they are allowed to access Trust Frameworks must be designed to ensure human permission is sought before making crucial decisions While speeding up work through technology is important security is even more critical Tech experts warn that if we do not wisely control the speed of automation the losses it brings will be greater than the benefitsâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/hyderabad-police-commissioner-flags-threat-posed-by-ai-agents-661100.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/govts-net-borrowing-is-on-lower-side-rbi-governor-661105.html Mumbai Feb 6 RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said on Friday that the governmentâs borrowing programme is on the lower side which would enable it to raise the required resources at reasonable prices Addressing the postmonetary policy press conference the RBI Governor said there was a need to focus on the net borrowing figure rather than gross borrowingsâIt may not be right to look at the gross borrowing number alone There are much more redemptions in FY27 so gross borrowing is expected to be higher Net borrowings however are only at Rs 1173 lakh crore which is only about Rs 20000 crore more than last year Given the size of the Budget one would have expected a much bigger increaseâ Malhotra observedHe said the government will also raise funds through Treasury Bills this year which should help authorities manage the yield curve better and handle the borrowing programme more efficientlyThe issuance of treasury bills in the next financial year will help further manage the yield curve better The budgeted number for the small savings scheme is conservative The Centres borrowing programme is on the lower side and can raise funds at reasonable prices he saidMalhotra further stated that the RBI has made sure there is ample liquidity into the system to ensure transmission of previous repo rate cuts in the economy The central bank is not looking at making any changes in liquidity management he addedHe further stated that tax holidays for data centres should help attract fresh investment signalling confidence that policy incentives can pull longterm capital into digital infrastructureThe RBI Governor also said that the near and medium term outlook on Indias external account is favourable He highlighted the string of trade deals over the last one year that is expected to boost exports draw foreign investments and raise productivityâEven after accounting for deficits India has sufficient foreign exchange reserves to cover its requirements The reserves are more than twice our shortterm external borrowings On the external front the position remains very comfortable he saidBesides he pointed out that the opening up of the insurance sector to FDI and the investments in Indias private banking space shows confidence in the growth storyOn the macroeconomic picture the Governor said he is confident India can meet its external sector requirements adding that the country is at the âsame sweet point or maybe betterâ on inflation compared with the last policy Growth also looks stronger than the last time the monetary policy committee met he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/govts-net-borrowing-is-on-lower-side-rbi-governor-661105.html Fri, 06 Feb 2026 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/integrative-medicine-modelin-public-health-to-boost-universal-health-coverageanupriya-patel-660999.html New Delhi Feb 5 Integrating Ayush with modern medicine in public health can help boost Universal Health Coverage said Anupriya Patel Minister of State for Health amp Family Welfare on Thursday Speaking at the third day of the World Governments Summit held in Dubai UAE she highlighted the need to shift health systems towards prevention and longterm wellbeing Addressing the session âFrom Policy to Practice Investing in the Future of Integrative Medicineâ Patel noted that the rising burden of noncommunicable diseases mental health challenges and lifestyle disorders driven by urbanisation unhealthy diets physical inactivity and chronic stress requires moving beyond episodic curative care âThe convergence of AYUSH systems with modern medicine and public health frameworks as a strategic pathway to building a resilient preventive and peoplecentric health ecosystem This approach aligns closely with the goals of Universal Health Coverageâ the Minister said Patel also outlined Indiaâs policyled and systemsdriven approach to integrative healthcare She highlighted how India has pioneered the structured integration of its rich traditional medical systems with modern scientific medicine translating ancient knowledge into scalable evidencebased public health models with relevance for health systems worldwide According to the World Health Organisation 88 per cent of member states have traditional systems of medicine that are culturally accepted Earlier speaking in a media interview Patel shared that integrative healthcare has been institutionalised in India The National Health Policy NHP 2017 provides a powerful mandate for integrative healthcare in India Patel stated that the integrative healthcare model has been operationalised across primary secondary and tertiary healthcare systems in the country At the primary level Ayushman Arogya Mandirs across the country now deliver traditional medicine services including Ayush practices such as yoga and wellness Ayush blocks function at secondary healthcare facilities and national tertiary institutions are establishing dedicated integrative healthcare units the Minister said adding the inclusion of traditional medicine in medical education systems IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/integrative-medicine-modelin-public-health-to-boost-universal-health-coverageanupriya-patel-660999.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 19:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/ayushman-arogya-mandirs-strengthening-fight-against-cancer-jp-nadda-660811.html New Delhi Feb 4 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs is strengthening the fight against cancer in India said Union Health Minister JP Nadda on World Cancer Day on Wednesday World Cancer Day is observed every year on February 4 to raise awareness about cancer and the advancements in technology to fight itAs per ICMRâs National Cancer Registry estimates India recorded over 153 lakh new cancer cases in 2024 and around 8â87 lakh deaths against a global burden of 20 million new cases and 97 million deaths in 2022 Taking to the social media platform X the Health Minister stressed the importance of early detection and regular screening as well as the steps taken by India to combat the deadly disease He also mentioned the waiving of customs duty on 17 cancer drugs in the recent Union Budget making medicines more affordable âUnder the visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modi several initiatives have been introduced to strengthen cancer care in India The establishment of Cancer Day Care units in every district and the exemption of customs duties on important cancer medicines will provide major relief to patients Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are also strengthening our fight against cancer through largescale screenings enabling early detection and timely treatment across the countryâ Nadda said âOn World Cancer Day we come together to raise awareness about cancer and the importance of early detection prevention and timely care It reminds us to support survivors and encourage regular screenings for a healthier future societyâ he added Welcoming the waiver on customs duty for cancer drugs experts also underscored the need to translate higher health investments into stronger cancer systemsâIndiaâs health sector is at a defining moment with the Union Health Budget crossing Rs 1 lakh crore for the first time and firmly positioning healthcare as a driver of economic growth social equity and the India2047 visionâ said Amit Kumar Ghosh Additional Chief Secretary Medical Health amp Family Welfare and Medical Education Uttar Pradesh âThrough initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat populationbased screening new cancer institutes and planned cancer daycare centres our focus is on early detection timely referral and affordable treatment Going forward stronger publicâprivate collaboration and patientâcentric policies will be key to reaching the last mileâ he added while speaking at the IHW Cancer Summit in the national capital Dr Shyam Aggarwal Chairman Medical Oncology at a Delhibased hospital noted that the future of cancer care lies with advanced technology âOn this World Cancer Day today my thoughts are on the evolution of technology tilting towards deep sequencing of DNA genes to decide cancer treatment Moving beyond imaging that is detecting tumours less than 5mmâ Aggarwal saidâIt is the future of oncology We will soon start asking patients Is your ctDNA negative We need to push our labs and researchers to adopt this technology as it is becoming routine in other countries he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/ayushman-arogya-mandirs-strengthening-fight-against-cancer-jp-nadda-660811.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/brent-crude-to-be-range-bound-under-70-per-barrel-due-to-supply-demand-mismatch-660824.html New Delhi Feb 4 Global crude oil prices may see only a marginal uptick in the near term and will be curtailed to 68â70 per barrel in the long term despite geopolitical and supplyâside uncertainties a report said on Wednesday Emkay Wealth Management Limited the wealth management arm of Emkay Global Financial Services said in a report that any upward movement is likely to be gradual and capped as market fundamentals point to slower global growth and cautious consumption across major economiesBrent crude has traded in a subdued 60â65 range for over a year despite OPEC production curbs amid lack of price breakout due to persistent imbalance between demand growth and emerging supply the report highlightedThe report further noted that demand forecasts continue to lag incremental production additions and prolonged low prices have curtailed capital expenditure across the energy sector with major oil and gas companies deferring investments to preserve liquidity and balanceâsheet stabilityOutput from Venezuela and Iran has normalised recently with a larger portion of it flowing to Asian markets particularly ChinaHowever fresh political developments and evolving geopolitical dynamics have reintroduced uncertainty around the continuity of these suppliesâWhile geopolitical developments could support oil prices in the very short term the underlying fundamentals suggest that any rally will be limited said Dr Joseph Thomas Head of Research Emkay Wealth ManagementEnergy companies and market participants will need to navigate this phase with capital discipline and a focus on operational efficiency rather than relying on priceâled growth he suggestedThe reports cited forecasts by the US Energy Information Administration that global oil inventories are expected to keep rising through 2026 exerting downward pressure on prices in the coming months The agency has projected an average Brent crude price of around USD 55 per barrel in 2026 underscoring expectations of continued oversupply IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/brent-crude-to-be-range-bound-under-70-per-barrel-due-to-supply-demand-mismatch-660824.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 01:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/japanese-researcherstobegin-human-trial-for-nipah-vaccinein-april-660825.html New Delhi Feb 4 A team of researchers in Japan has announced a clinical trial to confirm a vaccines efficacy against the deadly Nipah virus in humans The vaccine candidate developed at the University of Tokyo is set to start clinical trials in Belgium in April Nikkei Asia a Japanbased Englishlanguage news magazine reported The new vaccine offers a potential breakthrough against a disease whose fatality rate is estimated to be between 40 per cent and 75 per cent Currently there is no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for Nipah virus infectionThe latest development comes even as India reported two confirmed cases of Nipah virus from West Bengal in January The new vaccine is reportedly being developed by inserting a portion of the Nipah viruss genetic information into the measles virusâWhen the vaccine is introduced in humans antigen proteins similar to those of the Nipah virus are produced The immune systems response is seen strengthening the bodys defenses helping to prevent the onset of symptomsâ the report said âThe modified measles virus widely used globally for measles vaccinesâ it added The team has already established the vaccines efficacy and safety in animal trials with hamsters To confirm the vaccines safety in humans the Phase 1 clinical trial will involve 60 subjects Separately a team from Oxford University began Phase 2 clinical trials with a Nipah vaccine candidate in Bangladesh in December About 300 people aged 18 to 55 are expected to participate Nipah virus infection has also been designated as a priority disease under the World Health Organizations WHO Research and Development BlueprintNipah is a zoonotic disease that is primarily transmitted from bats to humans either directly or through contaminated food It can also spread from animals such as pigs to humans and in some cases between people through close and prolonged contact particularly in healthcare settings In humans Nipah virus infection can range from asymptomatic illness to severe respiratory disease and fatal encephalitis Globally the case fatality rate is estimated to be between 40 per cent and 75 per cent depending on early detection and quality of clinical care IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/japanese-researcherstobegin-human-trial-for-nipah-vaccinein-april-660825.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 01:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/undp-backed-digital-platforms-boosting-indias-immunisation-ecosystem-report-660844.html New Delhi Feb 4 Governmentled digital platforms supported by the United Nations Development Programme UNDP including the UWIN and eVIN have strengthened Indiaâs immunisation ecosystem said a report from the UN agency on Wednesday In its annual report 2025 launched at UN House at the Country Programme Management Board meeting the UN agency noted that UWIN helped track immunisation services for 32 million pregnant women and 97 million children The eVIN on the other hand enabled monitoring of vaccine stocks and coldchain temperatures across 30000 coldchain points covering over 650 million doses Further the immunisation platforms also expanded insurance coverage to 42 million farmers while supporting 63000 people with climateresilient livelihoods in the country The report also demonstrated UNDPâs role in progress in areas including SDG localisation acceleration and financing digital healthcare solutions childcare support crop insurance and climate action âIndiaâs development progress in 2025 reflects strong government leadership in delivering at scale through public systems These systems are delivered across health insurance care and climate action reaching women children farmers waste workers and lowincome householdsâ said Angela Lusigi Resident Representative UNDP India UNDP is proud to have supported these efforts by strengthening technical expertise helping public programmes function more effectively and respond faster when support was needed she addedFurther the report noted that the UNDP worked with national and state governments to strengthen how the Sustainable Development Goals move from policy to delivery The SDG Coordination and Acceleration approach is now institutionalised across key ministries supporting more aligned implementation At the subnational level SDG monitoring frameworks are operational in 33 of 36 States and Union Territories improving how data informs planning and budgeting Further economic security was reinforced through stronger social protection and risk mitigation Indiaâs crop insurance scheme Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana PMFBY expanded coverage to 42 million farmers These measures helped farming households recover faster from climate and income shocks the report said Communitybased childcare models enabled women in lowincome urban areas to take up paid work while also creating jobs in the care economyIn 2025 UNDP supported India in designing its National Adaptation Plan and a genderresponsive Biodiversity Finance Plan Communityled restoration initiatives supported more than 63000 people with climateresilient livelihoods helping reduce vulnerability to environmental shocks while sustaining incomes the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/undp-backed-digital-platforms-boosting-indias-immunisation-ecosystem-report-660844.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 01:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/china-likely-to-send-delegation-to-indias-ai-summit-amid-improving-ties-660865.html New Delhi Feb 4 China is planning to send an official delegation to Indiaâs upcoming AI summit in the national capital in a fresh sign that relations between the two neighbours are gradually improving According to reports a vice minister from Chinaâs Ministry of Science and Technology likely to lead the delegationGeorge Chen partner and cochair of digital practice at consultancy The Asia Group said the Indian embassy in Beijing had reached out to arrange visas for the Chinese representativesThe Asia Group regularly engages with Chinese policymakers on artificial intelligence regulation as per reportsThis is the first public confirmation that China will attend the AI Impact Summit scheduled to take place in New Delhi from February 16 to 20In late December Chinese state media had cited Indian reports saying that New Delhi had officially invited Beijing to participate in the eventHowever there is no official statement or confirmation from the Indian embassy and Chinaâs Ministry of Science and TechnologyThe planned participation of Chinese officials and businesses comes at a time when ties between the two countries appear to be stabilising after several years of tensionRelations had deteriorated sharply following a deadly border clash in 2020 After the incident India banned dozens of Chinese mobile applications including TikTok citing security concernsHowever tensions began easing last year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization SCO summit in Tianjin in AugustThe two leaders were also seen in a widely shared video along with Russian President Vladimir Putin signalling a thaw in diplomatic engagementSince then steps such as the resumption of direct flights and tourist visas have reflected improving tiesChina has increasingly used platforms such as the SCO to expand its influence in global AI developmentThe AI summit in India is also expected to draw several prominent global leaders including Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates and Anthropic CEO Dario AmodeiThe eventâs dates coincide with Chinaâs Lunar New Year holiday the countryâs biggest annual festival IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/china-likely-to-send-delegation-to-indias-ai-summit-amid-improving-ties-660865.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 02:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/rajasthan-launches-semiconductor-policy-jodhpur-pali-marwar-kankani-to-be-priority-corridors-660884.html Jaipur Feb 4 In a major push towards hightech industrial growth and strategic selfreliance the Rajasthan government has announced the Rajasthan Semiconductor Policy aimed at positioning the state as a leading hub for semiconductor manufacturing and allied sectors With semiconductors emerging as the backbone of modern digital and automated technologies the new policy seeks to strengthen Rajasthanâs role in Indiaâs semiconductor ecosystem while supporting national goals of economic security and technological independenceUnder the policy the JodhpurPaliMarwar and Kankani industrial areas along with other suitable locations will be declared Priority Semiconductor Corridors These corridors will offer fasttrack land allotment coordinated utility support and singlewindow clearances to facilitate quick project execution and investor confidence The policy places special emphasis on attracting investments in Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test OSAT and Assembly Testing Marking and Packaging ATMP segments along with sensors and related electronics manufacturing It also aims to strengthen the fabless semiconductor design ecosystem in the state To support this vision the government plans to develop worldclass semiconductor parks and provide attractive incentives to projects approved under the India Semiconductor Mission Ensuring ease of doing business remains a key pillar of the policyThe state government will provide essential infrastructure such as uninterrupted water and power supply along with streamlined regulatory processes Investors will be required to apply through the RajNivesh portal for setting up semiconductor units in Rajasthan To ensure effective implementation two dedicated bodies the State Level Sanctioning Committee SLSC and the State Empowered Committee will be constituted The Department of Industries and Commerce will act as the nodal agency for policy execution and coordination The Rajasthan Semiconductor Policy aligns with the Centreâs broader semiconductor roadmapThe India Semiconductor Mission launched in 2021 received a significant boost in the recent Union Budget with an allocation of Rs 40000 crore for Mission 20 Central initiatives such as Make in India Production Linked Incentive PLI schemes Semicon India Programme and Electronic Systems Design and Manufacturing ESDM have created a strong foundation for domestic semiconductor growth With this policy Rajasthan aims to attract highvalue investments generate skilled employment and emerge as a key player in Indiaâs rapidly expanding semiconductor landscape IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/rajasthan-launches-semiconductor-policy-jodhpur-pali-marwar-kankani-to-be-priority-corridors-660884.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 03:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-reits-and-invits-surpass-traditional-indices-in-giving-returns-in-2025-660945.html Mumbai Feb 5 Listed Real Estate Investment Trusts REITs and Infrastructure Investment Trusts InvITs in 2025 significantly outperformed traditional benchmarks delivering a strong 1955 per cent return on an equal weight basis a report showed on Thursday This was well ahead of the Nifty50 TRI total returns index at 1142 per cent and the G Sec Index at 681 per cent according to an ICRA Analytics reportData sourced from InfRE360 indicates that public trusts have emerged as one of the most resilient and rewarding asset classes during the yearAccording to the report REITs led the segment with an exceptional 2968 per cent return supported by robust leasing and stable yields while Power InvITs posted a healthy 2022 per cent Road InvITs trailed at 655 per cent reflecting asset specific and sectoral constraints December quarter distributions are yet to be accounted for which will further lift overall returns said the reportâREITs nearly doubled their returns rising from 1681 per cent in 2024 to 2968 per cent in 2025 reflecting sustained leasing momentum and consistent yield profilesâ said Madhubani Sengupta Head Knowledge Services ICRA AnalyticsPower InvITs advanced from 943 per cent to 2022 per cent reflecting operational resilience and market conditions whereas Road InvITs dipped from 949 per cent to 655 per cent highlighting mixed performance trends across infrastructure linked assets and the impact of new listings Sengupta addedAccording to the report the interest rate environment in 2025 tilted investor preference towards equity linked and yield oriented instruments which weighed GâSec performance In contrast trusts continued to attract strong interest supported by steady cash flows competitive yields and growing demand for infrastructure and real estate backed investment optionsPerformance figures for REITs InvITs and the broader trust category are based on an equal weight calculation across all listed entities rather than market cap weighting said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-reits-and-invits-surpass-traditional-indices-in-giving-returns-in-2025-660945.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/world-first-fingerstick-test-to-expand-hepatitis-b-diagnosis-access-660950.html New Delhi Feb 5 A worldfirst Australian trial has found that a simple fingerstick test for hepatitis B DNA is as accurate as standard lab testing paving the way for wider access in remote and resourcelimited settings Published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology the study showed that the pointofcare test can deliver results within an hour and be performed in decentralised clinics Xinhua news agency reported The fingerstick test can help overcome delays caused by laboratorybased testing according to a statement from the Kirby Institute at the University of New South Wales in Australia The results of our trial found that the fingerstick pointofcare test is highly accurate closely matching the accuracy of traditional tests said Professor Gail Matthews who led the research at the Kirby Institute The finding has the potential to expand access to testing and treatment globally especially where access to testing is limited Matthews said Hepatitis B a viral infection that attacks the liver affects an estimated 254 million people worldwide and causes over 1 million deaths annually as per global statistics Though preventable by vaccine only about 8 per cent of those living with chronic hepatitis B receive treatment according to the World Health Organization WHO Currently hepatitis B DNA testing for both diagnosis and monitoring requires collecting a venous blood sample to be processed in centralised laboratories meaning patients can need to travel long distances to take the test and then often wait days or weeks for results This delay and the multiple clinic visits involved can hinder timely treatment and care In comparison the new pointofcare test can be done in small health clinics using a finger stick blood sample which can be performed by a broader range of health care workers and provides a result within 60 minutes It is an effective alternative to laboratory testing for many infectious diseases including hepatitis C but until now its efficacy for hepatitis B DNA using finger stick blood has been unknown The new test could also support global efforts to meet the WHO target of eliminating hepatitis B as a public health threat by 2030 the researchers said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/world-first-fingerstick-test-to-expand-hepatitis-b-diagnosis-access-660950.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-first-cooperativemodel-ridehailing-app-bharattaxi-is-set-for-launch-today-660953.html Mumbai Feb 5 Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday will launch Bharat Taxi Indias first rideâhailing service application based on a cooperative model The minister will unveil the application as a governmentâbacked alternative to established players such as Uber Ola and RapidoSupported by the Ministry of Cooperation and operated by Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited Bharat Taxi is being promoted as a driverâowned mobility service that follows a zeroâcommission model in its initial phase with 100 percent of ride payments going directly to driversThe Ministry of Cooperation said the platform will free drivers referred to as Sarathis from exploitative aggregatorbased modelsThe minimum fare for up to 4 km is Rs 30 412 km at Rs 23 per km and rides beyond 12 km are priced at Rs 18 per kmSimilar to other aggregators Bharat Taxi also integrates with public transit services such as the Metro allowing users to plan and complete journeys involving multiple modes of transport through a single appIn the initial phase 100 per cent of ride payments will go directly to drivers At a later stage the cooperative may retain a fee of around 20 per cent which it says will be redistributed to drivers in the form of incentivesUnlike existing platforms Bharat Taxi plans to avoid surge pricing although dynamic pricing may be applied in specific situationsAccording to the Ministry of Cooperation over 150 women drivers have joined Bharat Taxi so far The app experiences a surge in registrations with around 40000 to 45000 new users signing up every day over the past two daysAccording to a post by the Ministry of Cooperation on the social media platform X in January Bharat Taxi has already crossed four lakh registered customersThe app available on both Android and iOS was ranked ninth on the Google Play Store and thirteenth on Appleâs App StoreSafety features also include options to alert emergency contacts reach a safety team and activate a siren from within the appThe signup process requires only basic details like a mobile number name and email addressSimilar to Ola and Uber Bharat Taxi plans dedicated pickup and drop zones at airports with expansion to other transport hubs in the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-first-cooperativemodel-ridehailing-app-bharattaxi-is-set-for-launch-today-660953.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-first-cooperativemodel-ridehailing-app-bharattaxi-set-for-launch-today-660954.html Mumbai Feb 5 Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday will launch Bharat Taxi Indias first rideâhailing service application based on a cooperative model The minister will unveil the application as a governmentâbacked alternative to established players such as Uber Ola and RapidoSupported by the Ministry of Cooperation and operated by Sahkar Taxi Cooperative Limited Bharat Taxi is being promoted as a driverâowned mobility service that follows a zeroâcommission model in its initial phase with 100 percent of ride payments going directly to driversThe Ministry of Cooperation said the platform will free drivers referred to as Sarathis from exploitative aggregatorbased modelsThe minimum fare for up to 4 km is Rs 30 412 km at Rs 23 per km and rides beyond 12 km are priced at Rs 18 per kmSimilar to other aggregators Bharat Taxi also integrates with public transit services such as the Metro allowing users to plan and complete journeys involving multiple modes of transport through a single appIn the initial phase 100 per cent of ride payments will go directly to drivers At a later stage the cooperative may retain a fee of around 20 per cent which it says will be redistributed to drivers in the form of incentivesUnlike existing platforms Bharat Taxi plans to avoid surge pricing although dynamic pricing may be applied in specific situationsAccording to the Ministry of Cooperation over 150 women drivers have joined Bharat Taxi so farThe app experiences a surge in registrations with around 40000 to 45000 new users signing up every day over the past two daysAccording to a post by the Ministry of Cooperation on the social media platform X in January Bharat Taxi has already crossed four lakh registered customersThe app available on both Android and iOS was ranked ninth on the Google Play Store and thirteenth on Appleâs App StoreSafety features also include options to alert emergency contacts reach a safety team and activate a siren from within the appThe signup process requires only basic details like a mobile number name and email addressSimilar to Ola and Uber Bharat Taxi plans dedicated pickup and drop zones at airports with expansion to other transport hubs in the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-first-cooperativemodel-ridehailing-app-bharattaxi-set-for-launch-today-660954.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/adani-energy-1st-indian-firm-to-deliver-1-crore-electricity-smart-meters-across-discoms-660956.html Ahmedabad Feb 5 In a significant development Adani Energy Solutions Limited AESL on Thursday became the first player in India and perhaps globally to have successfully delivered 1 crore electricity smart meters across discoms â with the next 1 crore projected to be delivered in the coming financial year FY27 As Indiaâs leading AMISP Advanced Metering Infrastructure Service Provider AESL has a mandate to install 25 crore smart meters across five states At 25000 per day its pace of installation is highest in the industry said the companyâReaching an installed base of 1 crore smart meters is a testament to our benchmarked execution excellence and deep engagement with distribution utilities and consumersâ said Kandarp Patel Chief Executive Officer Adani Energy Solutions Ltd AESL âThese smart meters are not just devices â these are catalysts for empowering consumers with realtime usage data improving grid reliability reducing losses and enabling efficient energy management We remain committed to playing a pivotal role in Indiaâs digital energy transitionâ he mentionedThis milestone comes much ahead of the companyâs guidance of reaching the 1 crore mark by March 31 2026 and underscores AESLâs commitment to drive digital transformation in the muchneeded retail electricity distribution providing invaluable data on consumption and for grid modernisation thereby supporting Indiaâs nationwide smart metering rollout under the Government of Indiaâs Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme RDSS AESLâs smart meter network delivers realtime consumer insights enhances billing transparency and strengthens utility operationsThe Adani Group company has been able to achieve the highest daily installation rate by taking an integrated and ecosystem approach It has tied up with sister firms like Adani Esyasoft Smart Solutionsâ smart metering and IoT division AdaniConneX for local data hosting besides signing up with tier I meter brands to ensure delivery timelines and manage platform relevance during the contract period The company began its smart metering journey in 2024 and has accomplished this significant milestone in approximately 24 months making it the quickest installation pace in the countryUnder the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme RDSS initiative India aims to replace 25 crore conventional meters with advanced smart meters to modernise the power distribution landscape IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/adani-energy-1st-indian-firm-to-deliver-1-crore-electricity-smart-meters-across-discoms-660956.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/iit-bombaydevelopsmethod-torecover-t-cells-for-cancer-therapies-660960.html New Delhi Feb 4 Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Bombay have developed a simpler and more efficient method to recover immune cells grown in the lab for Tcellâbased cancer therapies In immunotherapies such as CAR Tcell Tcells a type of immune cell are taken from a patientâs blood and modified in large numbers in the laboratory and infused back into the patientâs bloodstream to help fight cancerThese cells grown outside the body must be collected gently so that they remain alive and functional when returned to the patient Finding safe and efficient ways to grow Tcells and retrieve them is therefore an important part of making these therapies work âCell recovery sounds simple on paper but in practice it turns out to be one of the biggest challengesâ said Prof Prakriti Tayalia from the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering at the IIT Bombay âWithout enough healthy cells you cannot test them properly or use them for therapyâ she added To better mimic the bodyâs natural environment Tayaliaâs team worked with a specific type of scaffold made using a process called electrospinning These electrospun scaffolds look like thin mats made of very fine fibres similar to a dense fishing netThe team grew Jurkat Tcells a human cell line grown and used in the laboratory to study Tcell biology cancer and HIV inside electrospun scaffolds made from a material called polycaprolactone Under a microscope the researchers observed that the cells actively moved into the scaffold and became tightly lodged between the fibres Further the research showed that collecting the cells using trypsin an enzyme led to higher cell death In contrast cells recovered with accutase a milder enzyme survived in greater numbers and behaved more like healthy Tcells They formed clusters an essential step before Tcells divide and continued to grow well after recovery âHarsh treatments to cells using enzymes such as trypsin can damage key surface proteins needed for immune signalling and activation reducing the cellâs therapeutic usefulness Accutase appears mild enough to avoid this problemâ Tayalia said The studys findings published in the journal Biomaterials Science could help laboratories use such scaffolds when preparing cells for therapies such as CAR Tcell treatment âIf we want these advanced therapies to reach patients every step matters How we grow cells and how we retrieve them can make a real differenceâ Tayalia said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/iit-bombaydevelopsmethod-torecover-t-cells-for-cancer-therapies-660960.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/rbi-likely-to-maintain-status-quo-in-upcoming-policy-rate-decision-660973.html New Delhi Feb 5 The Reserve Bank of India RBI is likely to maintain status quo in the upcoming policy decision on Friday as despite policy rate easing government bond yields have exhibited persistent hardening in recent periods among other reasons According to economists the choice of eligible securities itself may influence the effectiveness of OMO operations even when the aggregate quantum of liquidity injection is unchangedâWe believe that the choice of eligible securities itself may influence the effectiveness of OMO operations even when the aggregate quantum of liquidity injection is unchangedâ said an SBI Research reportâRBI is thus likely to maintain status quo in the upcoming policyâ it addedSince the last policy one of the major policy changes is the EUIndia and USIndia trade deal resulting in reduction in tariffs on India to 18 per cent from 50 per cent earlierClearly India has now one of the lowest tariffs among Asian countries which will help in improving our export competitiveness said SBI ResearchHowever global economy continues to remain uncertain Our GeoEconomics Stress Index reveals heightened uncertainty leads to economic stress with a lag of 34 months Elsewhere metal prices have recovered after witnessing a significant selloff last week said the SBI reportMoreover slack in labour market stagnant real disposable incomes alongside reduced inflationary impact might lead to US Fed rate cutsAgainst this backdrop Indian currency seesawed between 8992 per dollar for the past two month and has depreciated by 58 per cent against USD most amongst the major economies since April 2 2025 when US announced sweeping tariff hikes across economies though it appreciated significantly more than Re 1 after the IndiaUS trade deal reducing the tariffs to 18 per centOMOs net purchase worth Rs 616 lakh crore has already been done and given the current global uncertainties âwe believe RBI may have to go up to Rs 50000 crore further OMOs purchase in the remaining part of FY to support durable liquidity quest amidst credit growthâ said the SBI report IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/rbi-likely-to-maintain-status-quo-in-upcoming-policy-rate-decision-660973.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 17:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/ntpc-aims-for-30gw-nuclear-capacity-by-2047-shripad-naik-660979.html New Delhi Feb 5 Governmentowned power giant NTPC Ltd is planning to achieve 30 gigawatt GW nuclear capacity by 2047 Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik informed the Parliament on Thursday NTPC has formed a wholly owned nuclear subsidiary NTPC Parmanu Urja Nigam Limited NPUNL under the Companies Act after getting the requisite clearancesThe above target of 30GW is a part of the governmentâs decision of having 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047 said the minister in a written reply to a question in the Lok SabhaNTPC is planning to set up nuclear power projects and Anu Shakti Vidyut Nigam Limited ASHVINI a joint venture of NTPC and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited NPCIL is in the process of establishing a 4X700 MW nuclear power project in Rajasthans Banswara districtThe plant is called Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project MBRAPP The current projections envisage initial testing of MBRAPPâs first 700 MW unit by FY 203233In order to explore various options and possible collaborations with international partners NTPC Ltd has issued an Expression of Interest EoI said the ministerMeanwhile NTPC last month announced a commercial capacity addition of 35958 MW through various solar projects of its subsidiaries in Gujarat and Rajasthan taking the groups total commercial capacity past the 855 GW markWith this the total installed commercial capacity of the NTPC group has reached 85541 MW 85541GW NTPC is contributing onefourth of Indiaâs power requirements and has an installed capacity of 85 GW with an additional capacity of 3090 GW under construction including 133 GW of renewable energy capacityThe company has set a target of 60 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2032 strengthening Indiaâs Net Zero goalsAccording to the company with a diverse portfolio of thermal hydro solar and wind power plants the NTPC is focusing on delivering reliable affordable and sustainable electricity to the nationThe company is committed to adopting best practices fostering innovation and embracing clean energy technologies for a greener future the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/ntpc-aims-for-30gw-nuclear-capacity-by-2047-shripad-naik-660979.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 18:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/sk-telecoms-2025-net-profit-plunges-73-pc-due-to-data-breach-660987.html Seoul Feb 5 SK Telecom South Korea leading mobile carrier said on Thursday its annual net profit plunged 73 per cent from a year earlier in 2025 due mainly to massive compensation costs following a data breach that affected its entire 25 millionuser base The company posted net profit of 3751 billion won 2556 million last year compared with a profit of 139 trillion won in 2024 the company said in a regulatory filing Its operating income fell 411 percent onyear to 107 trillion won and annual sales decreased 47 percent to 1709 trillion won reports Yonhap news agency For the fourth quarter of 2025 SK Telecoms net profit plummeted 754 percent onyear to 97 billion wonOperating profit fell 531 percent to 1191 billion won and revenue decreased 41 percent to 432 trillion wonSK Telecom said both its annual and quarterly earnings were weighed down by a compensation program and a decline in subscribers following a largescale data breach The company reported in April that a cyberattack on its main servers may have exposed the universal subscriber identity module USIM data of its entire user base It later offered to replace the USIM chips of all 25 million users along with a comprehensive compensation package and cybersecurity investment plan worth more than 1 trillion won while suspending new subscription services for two monthsLast month SK Telecom filed a lawsuit seeking to overturn a record 135 billionwon 91 million fine handed down by the state data protection regulator over a massive data leak last year that affected its entire 23 million user baseSK Telecom filed the suit with the Seoul Administrative Court just a day ahead of the deadline given to the company to seek a revocation of the decision by the Personal Information Protection Commission PIPC made in August last year according to the sourcesThe PIPC had imposed the fine on SK Telecom about four months after the wireless carrier belatedly disclosed a major leak of universal subscriber identity module USIM data from its servers The disclosure prompted the company to offer free USIM replacements to all of its users and an investigation by the regulator IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/sk-telecoms-2025-net-profit-plunges-73-pc-due-to-data-breach-660987.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 18:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/nasscom-us-ceo-forumcharts-tech-led-economic-partnership-after-historic-tradedeal-660988.html New Delhi Feb 5 Nasscom US CEO Forum on Thursday held its first industry engagement after the trade deal announcement between India and America and discussed a techled economic partnership Convened at Capitol Hill in Washington DC on February 45 the Forumâs third meeting brought together leading Indian technology business leaders and senior US policymakers The leaders deliberated on enhancing innovation AI trusted supply chains workforce development and local job creation across the US âThe IndiaUS trade deal provides muchneeded macro predictability at a time when technology talent and trust are central to global competitiveness Indian technology companies are already delivering measurable outcomes for the US economy highquality jobs regional investment and innovation at scaleâ said Rajesh Nambiar President NasscomThe Nasscom US CEO Forum is focused on moving this partnership from collaboration to cocreation anchored in data accountability and longterm value creation he addedThe Forum discussions underscored the opportunity for deeper IndiaUS collaboration across the AI value chain aligned with the Pax Silica coalition led by the US As AI adoption accelerates globally Indian technology firms are wellpositioned to expand their role across key layers particularly enterprise and custom applications consulting and engineering services and emerging opportunities in silicon design and advanced platforms supporting trusted secure and scalable AI ecosystems This collaboration is expected to directly benefit most of the Fortune 500 companies while catalysing local job creation across multiple US states The industry has set its sights on supporting the joint target of 500 billion in IndiaUS trade Energy security also emerged as a strategic priority with the US scaling AIcritical energy capacity and India integrating green and nuclear energy to support nextgeneration data centres Indian technology companies are increasingly contributing to AIdriven energy optimisation grid analytics and digital infrastructure reinforcing the resilience of the US innovation ecosystem âIndia and the US have a generational opportunity to build a trusted technology alliance across AI semiconductors and digital infrastructure Indian tech companies are deeply embedded in the success of US enterprises supporting the majority of Fortune 500 firms while creating local jobs across US statesâ said Amit Chadha CEO amp MD â LampT Technology Services amp Vice Chair Nasscom US CEO Forum By supporting the joint USIndia target of a bilateral trade number of 500 billion we can help shape a more resilient innovationled future for both economies he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/nasscom-us-ceo-forumcharts-tech-led-economic-partnership-after-historic-tradedeal-660988.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 18:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/cyber-fraud-3943-lakh-mobile-connections-disconnected-227-lakh-handsets-blacklisted-660990.html New Delhi Feb 5 The government said on Thursday that 3943 lakh mobile connections have been disconnected 227 lakh mobile handsets have been blacklisted and 131 lakh SMS templates have been blacklisted in the country in a bid to prevent cybercrimes and financial frauds Department of Telecommunications DoT has established Digital Intelligence Platform DIP for prevention of misuse of telecom resources in cybercrimes and financial frauds said Minister of State for Communications Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar in a written reply to a question in the Rajya SabhaHe further added that the DoTâs Sanchar Saathi initiative is accessible through web portal and Mobile AppChakshu facility of Sanchar Saathi enables citizens to report suspected fraud communications under various categoriesThe âSanchar Saathiâ initiative empowers vigilant citizens to report suspected fraud communications where a fraud was attempted but not actually committedAccording to the minister cases involving actual financial loss due to frauds are handled by Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre I4C an organization under Ministry of Home Affairs MHA that has been mandated to handle cybercrime as per allocation of business rulesâAction is generally taken after giving opportunity for reverification to the mobile user The details of action taken based on such analysis are available on the dashboard of Sanchar Saathi portal Based on 77 lakh inputs provided by the citizens 3943 lakhs mobile connections have been disconnected 227 lakh mobile handsets have been blacklisted and 131 lakh SMS templates have been blacklistedâ said the ministerAccording to the minister based on the information shared on DIP stakeholders initiate necessary action as per their analysis on the associated accounts profiles in their respective domainAs reported by stakeholders total fraud amount prevented through FRI is more than Rs 1000 crore based on transaction decline and alertnotifications given to citizensâFurther WhatsApp has disengaged 28 lakh profilesaccounts associated with shared mobile numbersâ he informed IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/cyber-fraud-3943-lakh-mobile-connections-disconnected-227-lakh-handsets-blacklisted-660990.html Thu, 05 Feb 2026 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/sail-records-highest-ever-sales-with-16-pc-growth-in-fy26-so-far-660683.html New Delhi Feb 3 Steel Authority of India Limited SAIL one of the countryâs largest steelmaking companies and a Maharatna public sector enterprise on Tuesday announced it has achieved its highestever cumulative sales during the April to January period of the current financial year The company recorded total sales of 166 million tonnes during this period in FY 2025â26 showing a strong growth of 16 per cent compared to 143 million tonnes in the same period last financial year according to the official statementThis marks the best sales performance in SAILâs history for these months SAIL also delivered its bestever sales figures for the month of JanuaryâThe company achieved record dispatches from plants expanded door delivery volumes and enhanced warehouse sales underscoring its strong focus on customercentricity and logistics efficiency while deepening market penetrationâ it addedIn January 2026 the company sold 184 million tonnes of steel which is more than 10 per cent higher than the 168 million tonnes sold in January last financial yearThe strong sales performance helped the company reduce its inventory by around 025 million tonnesIt also led to a significant reduction in borrowings improving the companyâs financial positionAccording to the company the record achievements were seen across several areas such as sales dispatches cash collections and customer deliveriesSAIL increased the volume of steel delivered directly to customersâ locations expanded warehousebased sales and improved dispatches from its plantsThese improvements reflect the companyâs focus on better logistics and customer serviceThe marketing team played a key role in driving these results by strengthening market reach and meeting business targetsWith consistent growth and strong operational performance SAIL continues to strengthen its role as a major contributor to Indiaâs infrastructure and industrial development IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/sail-records-highest-ever-sales-with-16-pc-growth-in-fy26-so-far-660683.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/dark-clouds-lifted-dea-secretary-hails-indiaus-trade-pact-660688.html New Delhi Feb 3 Senior government officials on Tuesday welcomed the IndiaUS trade deal saying it has reduced uncertainty in the global economic environment and brought relief to Indian industry Speaking at FICCIâs conference on Union Budget 2026â27 Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs Anuradha Thakur said a âgreat deal of uncertaintyâ was removed after the trade agreement was announced between India and the United StatesâDespite growing geopolitical challenges across the world the Indian economy has remained strong and stableâ she statedThakur explained that India is deeply connected with the global economy but continues to stand out as a country with strong macroeconomic fundamentalsShe credited the governmentâs careful fiscal policies and a stable financial system for supporting longterm growthâMaintaining consistency and credibility in economic management is important to attract investment and keep the growth momentum goingâ Thakur statedAt the same event Secretary of the Department of Financial Services M Nagaraju said that the global economic situation has become clearer after the trade dealHe described it as a major âdark cloudâ being lifted from the world economyNagaraju urged industry leaders to remain positive saying the government had already taken steps to reduce the impact of higher tariffs earlierHe said a credit guarantee scheme was introduced for exporters under which more than 4000 loan applications were approved and over Rs 1500 crore was disbursed to support affected industriesWith tariffs now reduced to 18 per cent he said businesses can finally feel a sense of relief and certaintyThe IndiaâUS trade deal was finalised on Monday after nearly a year of negotiations and several rounds of discussionsUnder the agreement tariffs on Indian goods exported to the US have been lowered from 25 per cent to 18 per centHowever many details of the deal are still unclear Key areas such as agriculture Indiaâs purchase of Russian oil and the services sector remain under discussionThis is especially important as the US has tightened immigration policies that could affect Indian professionals IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/dark-clouds-lifted-dea-secretary-hails-indiaus-trade-pact-660688.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/geriatriccarea-nationalimperative-for-indiasageingpopulation-say-experts-660689.html New Delhi Feb 3 Amid a rapidly ageing population in India experts on Tuesday stressed the need for a homebased communityled and integrated elder care model to boost geriatric care in the country Speaking at an event held in the national capital the health experts also discussed the growing challenges confronting the countryâs elderly population and the urgent need for more responsive and inclusive approaches to geriatric care The experts highlighted that the challenges for geriatric care are multidimensional in nature These include rising disabilities and agerelated health conditions such as dementia and Alzheimerâs significant gaps in geriatric healthcare infrastructure coupled with a sharp urbanârural divide in access to medical services and mounting economic pressures driven by inadequate social security and rising healthcare costsâAgeing is not just about adding years to life but adding life to those years Geriatric care must be coordinated continuous communitybased and compassionate Mental and emotional wellbeing are as critical as physical health especially in an era of nuclear families and increasing social isolation Geriatric care is not a luxury it is a necessityâ said Dr Rajinder K Dhamija Director Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences IHBASAccording to government data Indias senior citizen population is projected to surge to around 230 million by 2036 making up about 15 per cent of the total population âGeriatric care cannot remain confined to a few tertiary hospitals or centres of excellence In a country as large and demographically diverse as India care must begin at home and be strengthened through districtlevel systems Many elderly health needs do not require hospitalisation but can be effectively managed through trained caregivers homebased services and coordinated community support The real challenge is scale integration and lastmile deliveryâ added Rajesh Bhushan Former Secretary Ministry of Health amp Family Welfare during the event organised by Illness to Wellness Bhushan also highlighted the need to repurpose and upskill general physicians integrate social care with medical services and draw lessons from countries such as Japan and South Korea to create unified onestop elder care models that combine healthcare rehabilitation and social support The experts also pointed to a widening digital divide with many seniors struggling to adopt technology due to limited access and lack of agefriendly training as well as physical infrastructure public spaces transport systems and emergency response mechanisms that remain largely illequipped to support the safety mobility and independence of older persons Prof Nirmal Kumar Ganguly Former Director General ICMR noted that ageing outcomes are deeply influenced by social engagement mental stimulation and timely management of chronic conditions âAge is truly just a number Mental engagement social interaction and proactive management of vision hearing balance and chronic diseases can dramatically improve quality of life While challenges such as dementia diabetes and hypertension are rising advances in technology and medical science offer real solutions provided they are made accessible and equitableâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/geriatriccarea-nationalimperative-for-indiasageingpopulation-say-experts-660689.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/nasapostponesartemisiimoon-mission-to-march-overhydrogen-leak-during-fuelling-test-660695.html New Delhi Feb 3 NASA has postponed the ambitious Artemis II mission to the Moon to March after detecting a hydrogen leak during a key fuelling test The mission to launch a team of four astronauts on a journey around the Moon from Kennedy Space Center in Florida was initially targetted for February 6 It was later delayed to February 8 due to cold weather conditions with winds moving through Florida âWith the conclusion of the wet dress rehearsal today we are moving off the February launch window and targeting March for the earliest possible launch of Artemis IIâ NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman shared in a post on social media platform X âAs always safety remains our top priority for our astronauts our workforce our systems and the public We will only launch when we believe we are as ready to undertake this historic missionâ he added The twoday test at Kennedy Space Center in Florida which began on January 31 successfully loaded cryogenic propellants into the Space Launch System SLS rockets tanks But it ended early on Tuesday due to a liquid hydrogen leak at the interface of the tail service mast umbilical which had experienced high concentrations of liquid hydrogen earlier in the countdown as wellThe engineers spent several hours troubleshooting the leak but werent successfulâThe engineers conducted a first run at terminal countdown operations during the test counting down to approximately 5 minutes left in the countdown before the ground launch sequencer automatically stopped the countdown due to a spike in the liquid hydrogen leak rateâ NASA shared in a blog post In addition âa valve associated with Orion crew module hatch pressurisation which recently was replaced required retorquing and closeout operations took longer than plannedâ it said adding that despite several challenges many of the planned objectives were metA second wet dress rehearsal is expected in March ahead of the scheduled launch Meanwhile the Artemis II astronauts will now be released from quarantine which they entered in Houston on January 21 The crew will enter quarantine again about two weeks out from the next targeted launch opportunity NASA saidThe 10day mission will set the stage for Artemis III slated for launch in 2027 when humans will land on the lunar South Pole for the first time and set up a longterm presence there The Artemis II crew includes NASAâs commander Reid Wiseman pilot Victor Glover and mission specialists Christina Koch and the Canadian Space Agencyâs CSA Jeremy Hansen IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/nasapostponesartemisiimoon-mission-to-march-overhydrogen-leak-during-fuelling-test-660695.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/sensex-surges-2-073-points-rupee-posts-best-single-day-gain-since-dec-2018-660696.html Mumbai Feb 3 Indian stock markets witnessed a strong rally on Tuesday as investors cheered the finalisation of the longawaited IndiaâUS trade deal Both benchmark indices the Sensex and the Nifty posted sharp gains reflecting positive sentiment across Dalal StreetBy the end of the trading session the Sensex jumped 207267 points or 254 per cent to close at 8373913Meanwhile the Nifty climbed 63915 points or 255 per cent to settle at 2572755âThe key support zone remains at 25500â25600 gap support while 25900â26000 acts as a major psychological and supply resistance areaâ an analyst statedThe surge came after US President Donald Trump announced that the agreement would lower reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods to 18 per centThe move boosted confidence among market participants who expect improved trade ties to benefit Indian companies and the broader economySeveral heavyweight stocks led the rally on the Sensex Shares of Adani Ports Bajaj Finance IndiGo and PowerGrid recorded strong gains during the dayOn the other hand Tech Mahindra and Bharat Electronics Limited BEL were the only stocks to end in negative territoryMarket optimism was visible across all sectors as every sectoral index closed higher The Nifty Realty index was the top performer rising by more than 4 per centOther sectors such as chemicals pharmaceuticals and consumer durables also saw solid buying interest with their indices jumping over 3 per cent eachThe broader market also participated in the rally The Nifty MidCap 100 index advanced 284 per cent while the Nifty SmallCap 100 index gained 282 per centAnalysts said that the strong performance highlighted investor confidence driven by positive developments on the trade front and expectations of improved economic prospectsIndian equities experienced a significant rally today driven by the longâanticipated IndiaâUS trade deal and a strengthening rupee which boosted expectations of renewed FII inflowsâ an expert saidMeanwhile Rupee traded sharply stronger appreciating by Rs 128 or nearly 140 per cent following the USâIndia trade deal announcement to record its best singleday gain since December 2018 IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/sensex-surges-2-073-points-rupee-posts-best-single-day-gain-since-dec-2018-660696.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/adani-enterprises-logs-90x-growth-in-q3-net-profit-consolidated-ebitda-at-rs-11-985-crore-in-april-dec-660697.html Ahmedabad Feb 3 Adani Enterprises Ltd AEL the flagship company of the Adani Group on Tuesday registered an impressive 90 times growth in net profit at Rs 5627 crore for the OctoberDecember quarter Q3 FY26 yearonyear For the nine months this fiscal FY26 consolidated EBITDA reached Rs 11985 crore while revenue stood at Rs 69756 crore the Adani Group company said in a statementAEL has strengthened its track record of consistently delivering operational and execution excellence during the quarter with the commencement of operations at the greenfield Navi Mumbai airport in less than five years of acquisitionThe flagship company has also successfully delivered outcomes within timelines by completing two HAM road projects and the inauguration of the integrated new terminal building at Guwahati airportWith resilient execution and a clear strategic focus Adani Enterprises has delivered a robust operating performance in the first nine months of FY26 reflecting the strength of our incubator model and the depth of our diversified infrastructure portfolio Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani saidThe commencement of operations at the Navi Mumbai International Airport represents a landmark achievement reinforcing our commitment to building nationally critical assets at scale and speed he addedOur continued progress across airports renewable manufacturing data centres and transport infrastructure alongside strong capital market support through our successful rights issue and NCD offerings positions us well to accelerate the next phase of growth Gautam Adani mentionedThe company successfully completed a rights issue raising Rs 24930 crore seeing oversubscription by 30 per cent from the market It also raised Rs 1000 crore through its third public issue of NCDs in January 2026Adani New Industries ANILGreen Hydrogen Ecosystem saw module sales continue to track over 1 GW per quarter as domestic solar module sales surged 40 per cent to 997 MW during the quarterAdani Solar ANIL is now the only Indian company in the top 10 global solar manufacturersWhile AEL water business received a letter of intent LoA to develop the Mithi river project ACX data centre operationalised 144 MW capacity and now has an operational capacity of 50MWAs India advances towards becoming a 5 trillion economy AEL remains steadfast in its mission to incubate globally competitive businesses that combine economic value creation with sustainability technological leadership and longterm national impact said Gautam Adani IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/adani-enterprises-logs-90x-growth-in-q3-net-profit-consolidated-ebitda-at-rs-11-985-crore-in-april-dec-660697.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-reaffirms-commitment-to-inclusive-rights-based-social-development-at-un-meet-660702.html New Delhi Feb 3 India has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive and rightsbased social development at the 64th Session of the Commission for Social Development at UN Headquarters New York said the Ministry of Women and Child Development on Tuesday Leading the Indian delegation Minister of State for Women and Child Development Savitri Thakur highlighted Indiaâs rightsbased and wholeofsociety approach that leaves no one behind She emphasised that social justice and social protection in India are rooted in constitutional guarantees and aligned with the countryâs longterm vision of âViksit Bharat 2047â She highlighted the guiding principle of âSabka Saath Sabka Vikasâ reflecting a wholeofgovernment and wholeofsociety approach to ensure that no one is left behind Thakur also delivered a national statement on âadvancing social developments and social justice through coordinated equitable and inclusive policiesâ The MoS outlined key national initiatives demonstrating scale inclusion and lastmile delivery It includes parity in girlsâ and boysâ participation in education supported by improved school infrastructure and residential schooling in remote areas Other initiatives include largescale expansion of basic services including piped drinking water clean cooking energy and sanitation facilities with significant benefits for women and vulnerable communities Further Thakur stressed transformative financial inclusion through hundreds of millions of bank accounts with women emerging as leading beneficiaries of entrepreneurship and credit schemes nationwide protection and support mechanisms for women and children through dedicated helplines and integrated service centres Comprehensive maternal child health and nutrition programmes reaching over 100 million beneficiaries and expanded social security and targeted schemes for the elderly persons with disabilities unorganised workers and transgender persons were mentioned The Minister also highlighted the role of digital public infrastructure and Direct Benefit Transfers DBT in enhancing transparency efficiency and accountability in public service delivery Emphasising that global challenges require collective responses Thakur expressed support for strengthened multilateral cooperation capacity building and SouthSouth collaboration to accelerate progress on social development models IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-reaffirms-commitment-to-inclusive-rights-based-social-development-at-un-meet-660702.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-ustradedealgame-changer-formedtech-pharma-sectors-industry-660714.html New Delhi Feb 3 The trade deal between India and the US is a gamechanger for the Indian MedTech and pharma sectors said industry experts on Tuesday In a historic move the US has announced a reduction in tariffs on Indian exports to 18 per cent from 50 per cent which is a constructive development for the IndiaUS trade relationsThe US is Indiaâs largest export destination accounting for about 20 per cent of total exportsThe Association of Indian Medical Devices AiMeD hailed the deal and noted that it can prove to be a âvital boost for our manufacturers enhancing global competitiveness spurring investments and creating jobsââThe US tariff slash from 50 per cent to 18 per cent is a gamechanger for Indian medical devices slashing export costs and unlocking billions in US market potential amid China1 shifts We urge sustained IndiaUS regulatory harmonisation to capitalise fully on this opportunity for âMake in Indiaâ MedTech successâ said Rajiv Nath Forum Coordinator AiMeDFurther Nath noted that the US tariff cut to 18 per cent on Indian goods also provides Indian medical devices a competitive edge over Chinese counterparts which face higher Section 301 tariffs typically at 25 per cent plus additional hikes up to 5060 per cent on some items like respiratorsâPreviously India endured up to 50 per cent duties while China had around 30 per cent but the new deal aligns Indiaâs rate below Chinaâs base favouring India amid China1 diversificationâ he addedThe Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India Pharmexcil also highlighted the positive implications of the IndiaUS trade deal for the Indian pharma sectorâThe IndiaUS trade agreement represents a pivotal moment for the pharmaceutical sector with key highlights including the reduction of tariffs on Indian goods exportsâ said Namit Joshi Chairman â PharmexcilâThe reduction in reciprocal taxes is incrementally positive for Indian pharmaceutical companies particularly those with significant exposure to the US market which accounts for 3040 per cent of the sectors total revenueâ he addedJoshi noted that the deal also fosters greater market access for Indian generics and biosimilars strengthening Indiaâs position as the global leader in affordable medicinesâBy enhancing trade ties streamlining regulatory processes and ensuring supply chain resilience this agreement will drive growth in Indias pharmaceutical exports unlock new opportunities for innovation and reinforce the countryâs critical role in global healthcareâ the expert said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-ustradedealgame-changer-formedtech-pharma-sectors-industry-660714.html Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/spacex-acquires-xai-to-launch-spacebased-ai-data-centres-elon-musk-660643.html Mumbai Feb 3 USbased entrepreneur Elon Musk said that his aerospace firm SpaceX has acquired his AI startup xAI and shared plans to scale AI compute in space by launching large constellations of satellites that act as orbital data centres Launching a million tonnes per year of satellites generating kilowatts kW of compute power per tonne would add 100 gigawatts of AI compute capacity annually with no ongoing operational or maintenance needs Ultimately there is a path to launching 1 TWyear from Earth said Elon Musk in a statementThe SpaceX founder said that spaceâbased AI is the only viable longâterm path to meet the vast power needs of advanced AI arguing that nearâconstant solar power in orbit can deliver compute at far lower cost than terrestrial data centresThe costefficiency alone will enable companies to advance training their AI models and processing data at unprecedented speeds and scales the tech leader saidTo harness even a millionth of our Sunâs energy would require over a million times more energy than our civilisation currently uses The only logical solution therefore is to transport these resourceintensive efforts to a location with vast power and space he saidCurrent advances in AI are dependent on large terrestrial data centers which require immense amounts of power and cooling he saidMusk warned that global electricity demand for AI cannot be met with terrestrial solutions even in the near term without imposing hardship on communities and the environmentSpaceXs Starship will begin delivering the much more powerful V3 Starlink satellites to orbit in 2026 with each launch adding more than 20 times the capacity to the constellation as the current Falcon launches of the V2 Starlink satellitesIt will enable launches âevery hour carrying 200 tons per flightâ and ultimately lifting millions of tons to orbit and beyond he shared his planStarship will also launch the next generation of directtomobile satellites which will deliver full cellular coverage everywhere on Earth he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/spacex-acquires-xai-to-launch-spacebased-ai-data-centres-elon-musk-660643.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/us-trade-deal-to-boost-global-competitiveness-of-indian-products-create-jobs-industry-chambers-660648.html New Delhi Feb 3 Leading industry chambers on Tuesday said the IndiaUS trade deal will enhance the global competitiveness of Indian products while catalysing manufacturing growth employment creation and the development of resilient supply chains The US has immediately reduced reciprocal tariff on Indian goods from 25 per cent to 18 per cent while waiving off the other 25 per cent tariffs imposed on the country for purchasing Russian oilâThe expected reduction of USIndia tariffs to 18 per cent marks a significant step forward in the strategic economic partnership between India and USâ said Rajiv Memani President CIIThe IndiaUS trade deal underscores the shared commitment of both the countries to deepen trade technology and investment ties in an increasingly competitive global landscapeâThe CII looks forward to continued engagement with business stakeholders in both countries to translate this momentum into tangible outcomes for businesses and sustained economic growthâ Memani notedPHDCCI President Rajeev Juneja said that by lowering tariff duties the United States signals a renewed commitment to trade openness and economic efficiencyâReduced tariffs cut input costs for domestic industries strengthen supply chains and ease inflation by lowering prices for businesses and consumers They benefit key sectors â including manufacturing technology healthcare and renewable energy â by improving access to intermediate goods capital equipment and critical componentsâ he mentioned in a statementImportantly this approach aligns with the spirit of cooperation fostered by the strong personal rapport between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump reinforcing trust and predictability in bilateral trade said JunejaDr A Sakthivel Chairman AEPC said that the breakthrough is a highly welcome and timely development for the Indian apparel industry which was stressed due to the high US tariff of 50 per centâThe United States is our single largest export market and improved trade terms will significantly enhance the competitiveness of Indian apparel products in the US market This development is expected to give a strong boost to apparel exports attract fresh investments across the value chain and reinforce Indiaâs position as a reliable global sourcing hubâ he said in a statementMost importantly the apparel sector being one of the largest employment generators this positive move will help secure existing jobs and create substantial new employment opportunities particularly for women and the workforce in laborintensive segments Sakthivel added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/us-trade-deal-to-boost-global-competitiveness-of-indian-products-create-jobs-industry-chambers-660648.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 14:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-takes-decisive-steps-toward-self-reliance-in-critical-materials-660659.html New Delhi Feb 3 With coordinated domestic and global initiatives India is positioning itself as a reliable and competitive player in advanced materials value chains taking decisive steps toward selfreliance in critical materials by establishing a domestic ecosystem for Rare Earth Permanent Magnets REPMs an official statement said on Tuesday The Rs 7280 crore REPM Manufacturing Scheme and the Union Budget 2026â27 announcement of Dedicated Rare Earth Corridors together create an integrated framework for mining processing research and manufacturing the statement saidThe Budget 2026â27 has announced the creation of Dedicated Rare Earth Corridors in Odisha Kerala Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to promote mining processing research and manufacturingAccording to the statement Rare Earth Permanent Magnets REPMs are among the strongest types of permanent magnets known for their high magnetic strength and stabilityTheir compact size and powerful performance make them indispensable for advanced engineering applications such as electric vehicle motors wind turbine generators consumer and industrial electronics aerospace systems defence equipment and precision sensorsThe country possesses a substantial reserve of rareearth minerals providing a strong foundation for downstream industries like REPM manufacturingIndia holds 1315 million tonnes of monazite containing an estimated 723 million tonnes of rareearth oxides REO These deposits occur across Odisha Kerala Andhra Pradesh Tamil Nadu West Bengal Gujarat Maharashtra and Jharkhand primarily in coastal beach sands terired sands and inland alluviumIn Gujarat and Rajasthan 129 million tonnes of insitu REO resources have been identified in hardrock areas The Geological Survey of India GSI has further augmented reserves identifying 4826 million tonnes of rareearth ore resources in 34 exploration projectsHowever although India has a strong rareearth resource base domestic production of permanent magnets is still at a developing stage with imports mainly from China meeting most of the demand nearly 60â80 per cent by value and 85â90 per cent by quantity between 2022â25With the consumption of Rare Earth Permanent Magnets expected to double by 2030 due to rapid growth in electric mobility renewable energy electronics and defence applications it is essential for India to expand domestic capability and invest in this sector to reduce import dependence and ensure longterm selfreliance said the statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-takes-decisive-steps-toward-self-reliance-in-critical-materials-660659.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/over70pcindian-recruiters-turning-to-ai-to-find-hidden-talentreport-660664.html New Delhi Feb 3 Even as finding the right talent is getting harder 71 per cent of recruiters in India said that artificial intelligence AI has helped them uncover candidates with skills they would have previously missed according to a new report on Tuesday The report by professional networking website LinkedIn based on a survey of 6554 global HR professionals noted that recruiters are using AI to spot the right skills and hire fasterAbout 80 per cent of recruiters reported that AI makes gaining insight into a candidateâs skills easier More than threequarters 76 per cent believe AI is already speeding up hiringAround eight in 10 Indian recruiters said they plan to expand their use of AI to support hiring goals evaluate applicants and source top talentA majority also plan to increase AI use for prescreening interviews in 2026 believing it will lead to more valuable recruitercandidate conversations 83 per cent faster hiring experience 83 per cent and better candidate insights 82 per centWeâre seeing a structural shift in hiring from pedigree and past titles to demonstrate skills and capability This shift is hard to execute at scale without AI Used responsibly AI helps recruiters detect the right skills earlier reduce screening friction and create a more consistent and fair evaluation processâ said Ruchee Anand APAC VP LinkedIn Talent SolutionsThe research showed that 74 per cent of recruiters now struggle to find qualified candidates even as hiring activity runs 40 per cent above prepandemic levels in IndiaThis is because recruiters are facing a volumequality mismatch Among recruiters who say hiring has become more difficult over half point to a surge in AIgenerated applications 53 per cent while many cite continued shortages in indemand skills 47 per centFurther as AI becomes more embedded in hiring expectations from candidates are rising too Professionals increasingly want visibility into how hiring decisions are made signalling a clear demand for transparencyHalf of recruiters 50 per cent in India now say they are under pressure to explain how AI is being used in their processes and hiring flow particularly when it comes to screening and shortlisting candidatesâOur priority at LinkedIn is to build AI tools like Hiring Assistant that serve as a decisionsupport layer in hiring so recruiters can find the right talent more quickly and confidently without compromising on quality or candidate experienceâ Anand said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/over70pcindian-recruiters-turning-to-ai-to-find-hidden-talentreport-660664.html Tue, 03 Feb 2026 15:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/white-collar-hiring-sees-3-pc-growth-in-india-in-jan-non-it-sectors-lead-660587.html New Delhi Feb 2 Indias whitecollar hiring began 2026 on a steady footing with a 3 per cent rise yearonyear in January driven by nonIT sectors and fresher hiring a report showed on Monday NonIT sectors were the primary drivers of this growth with BPOITES surging more than 21 per cent hospitalitytravel climbing over 15 per cent insurance advancing more than 7 per cent and healthcare gaining more than 5 per cent as per the Naukri JobSpeak IndexBanking and financial services was one major nonIT sector to see a decline slipping 15 per cent onyear Meanwhile the IT sector remained flat for the month Within this landscape AIML roles sustained strong momentum with a more than 34 per cent riseOver the past three months BPOITES has consistently ranked among the top 5 sectors for doubledigit YoY growthIn January 2026 hiring in the sector rose 21 per cent YoY supported by broadbased demand across experience levels including a strong 39 per cent increase in fresher hiring and a 9 per cent rise among professionals with 1316 years of experience Nonmetro cities emerged as key drivers with Jaipur more than 66 per cent and Ahmedabad over 43 per cent posting standout contributionsForeign multinational corporations MNCs were a major force behind this surge contributing more than an 80 per cent increase in hiring activity said the reportâItâs encouraging to see sustained yearonyear growth in key sectors like BPOITES and Hospitality These areas have shown consistent momentum over recent months and have kicked off 2026 on a strong positive note Equally promising is the robust performance from Indian IT MNCs which bodes well for the overall job marketâ said Dr Pawan Goyal Chief Business Officer NaukriGeographically the uptick was spearheaded by Pune over 23 per cent Chennai 18 per cent Bengaluru 17 per cent and Ahmedabad 16 per cent reflecting strong contributions from both established southern hubs and fastemerging western markets the findings showed IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/white-collar-hiring-sees-3-pc-growth-in-india-in-jan-non-it-sectors-lead-660587.html Mon, 02 Feb 2026 19:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/sensex-crashes-over-2-300-points-after-budget-nifty-down-over-600-points-660483.html Mumbai Feb 1 The Indian stock market saw a sharp intraday fall on Sunday after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented her ninth consecutive Union Budget The Sensex crashed more than 2300 points from the dayâs high while Nifty slipped over 600 points during intraday trading as investors turned cautiousThe fall came despite the Budget announcing measures to accelerate economic growth while maintaining fiscal prudenceMarkets had opened nearly flat with Sensex adding a few points and Nifty slightly lower amid Budgetrelated caution and a weak rupee hovering near 92 per dollarAt the opening bell sectoral indices largely traded in the red Nifty metal emerged as the biggest loser down over 3 per cent while auto private banks oil and gas and consumer durables managed modest gainsBharat Electronics was among the top gainers on the Nifty as investors awaited increased allocation to the defence sector in the BudgetMarket analysts said the fall reflected investor caution as no major income tax reliefs were expected in this Budget following the significant tax cuts announced in 2025Minor tweaks in the tax regime and measures to support longterm growth were seen as positive but not enough to prevent the initial selloffâDefencelinked stocks and manufacturing exports could attract attention with PSU bank mergers and disinvestment announcements also being closely watchedâ analysts saidThe market is expected to remain volatile throughout the day with sharp movements possible depending on announcements related to fiscal policy capital expenditure sectoral incentives and the fiscal deficit target which is expected to be around 43â44 per cent of GDP for FY27Trading on the stock exchanges will continue until 330 pm though shares bought on January 30 cannot be sold today due to the settlement holidayAnalysts said investors are closely watching debt metrics deficit outcomes and borrowings scheduled for the coming year to gauge the governmentâs strategic direction IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/sensex-crashes-over-2-300-points-after-budget-nifty-down-over-600-points-660483.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 13:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/budget-2026centretopromoteastrophysics-andastronomy-boosttelescope-facilities-660497.html New Delhi Feb 1 The Union government on Sunday announced plans to promote astrophysics and astronomy as well as boost telescope facilities in the country Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said this while presenting her ninth consecutive Union Budget in the ParliamentâFour telescope infrastructure facilities to be set up or upgraded to promote astrophysics and astronomyâ the Finance Minister saidâThe new investments aim to expand Indiaâs observational capabilities support cuttingedge research and inspire the next generation of scientistsâ Sitharaman added while presenting Budget 2026The four facilities identified under the Budget announcement include the National Large Solar Telescope NLST the National Large Optical Infrared Telescope NLOT the Himalayan Chandra Telescope and the COSMOS 2 PlanetariumThe upgradation of NLST is aimed at advancing space weather research and solar atmospheric studies The Centre focuses on highresolution observations of the Sun Situated in a highaltitude desert in the Himalayas the NLST site offers excellent atmospheric conditions for solar coronagraphyThe NLOT is a proposed 1012 metre class groundbased facility designed to be Indiaâs premier largeaperture optical and infrared observatoryLocated in the highaltitude Indian Astronomical Observatory Ladakhs Hanle is part of a broader push to upgrade Indias astronomical capabilities alongside NLST It will also strengthen Indiaâs ability to observe faint and distant celestial objects including exoplanets nebulae and galaxiesUpgrading the Himalayan Chandra Telescope located in Ladakh will improve its sensitivity and instrumentation allowing more precise observations under exceptional atmospheric conditionsThe COSMOS 2 Planetarium will be developed as a modern public outreach and education centre helping popularise astronomy and space science among studentsThe new project is expected to establish Indiaâs position as a global leader in space research IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/budget-2026centretopromoteastrophysics-andastronomy-boosttelescope-facilities-660497.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/tata-motors-posts-january-sales-at-71-066-units-up-471-pc-660502.html Mumbai Feb 1 Indian automobile manufacturer Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd on Sunday said that its sales in the domestic and international market including that of electric vehicles EV stood at 71066 units in January 2026 marking a 471 per cent rise yearonyear The total sales including EVs were 48316 units in January 2025Passenger vehicle domestic sales including electric vehicles rose 461 per cent YoY to 70222 units in January 2026 from 48076 units a year earlier the release saidFurther the passenger vehicle international business sales were 844 units in January 2026 posting a 2517 per cent uptick from 240 units in January 2025Electric vehicle sales across international business and domestic markets reached 9052 units in January 2026 up 727 per cent YoY the release saidThe company shared a major milestone in December 2024 that over 25 lakh TATAev cars are running on Indian roads Tatas Nexonev also created history by becoming the first electric car in India to cross one lakh cumulative salesTata Motors said in December that it accounted for around 66 per cent of all electric passenger vehicles sold in India meaning nearly two out of every three EVs on the road come from the Tata stableIts EV portfolio includes the Tiagoev Punchev Nexonev Curvvev and HarrierevThe Ministry of Heavy Industries MHI accelerated Indiaâs transition towards greater adoption of electric vehicles during 2025 with record investments under its Production Linked Incentive Scheme for the auto sector and the successful implementation of the PM EDRIVE initiativeClaims to the tune of Rs 199994 crore were disbursed under the PLIAuto Scheme during 202425Till December 31 2025 incentives have been provided for over 1361 lakh electric vehicles which include more than 1042 lakh twowheelers over 238 lakh threewheelers 79540 electric cars and 1391 electric buses an official statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/tata-motors-posts-january-sales-at-71-066-units-up-471-pc-660502.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 14:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/tata-motors-posts-january-sales-at-71-066-units-up-by-471-pc-660503.html Mumbai Feb 1 Indian automobile manufacturer Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd on Sunday said that its sales in the domestic and international market including that of electric vehicles EV stood at 71066 units in January 2026 marking a 471 per cent rise yearonyear The total sales including EVs were 48316 units in January 2025Passenger vehicle domestic sales including electric vehicles rose 461 per cent YoY to 70222 units in January 2026 from 48076 units a year earlier the release saidFurther the passenger vehicle international business sales were 844 units in January 2026 posting a 2517 per cent uptick from 240 units in January 2025Electric vehicle sales across international business and domestic markets reached 9052 units in January 2026 up 727 per cent YoY the release saidThe company shared a major milestone in December 2024 that over 25 lakh TATAev cars are running on Indian roads Tatas Nexonev also created history by becoming the first electric car in India to cross one lakh cumulative salesTata Motors said in December that it accounted for around 66 per cent of all electric passenger vehicles sold in India meaning nearly two out of every three EVs on the road come from the Tata stableIts EV portfolio includes the Tiagoev Punchev Nexonev Curvvev and HarrierevThe Ministry of Heavy Industries MHI accelerated Indiaâs transition towards greater adoption of electric vehicles during 2025 with record investments under its Production Linked Incentive Scheme for the auto sector and the successful implementation of the PM EDRIVE initiativeClaims to the tune of Rs 199994 crore were disbursed under the PLIAuto Scheme during 202425Till December 31 2025 incentives have been provided for over 1361 lakh electric vehicles which include more than 1042 lakh twowheelers over 238 lakh threewheelers 79540 electric cars and 1391 electric buses an official statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/tata-motors-posts-january-sales-at-71-066-units-up-by-471-pc-660503.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-charts-rare-earth-corridors-to-break-chinas-grip-on-critical-minerals-660504.html New Delhi Feb 1 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday unveiled a significant initiative designed to reshape Indiaâs engagement with critical minerals FM Sitharaman declared that the government will extend support to the mineralrich states of Odisha Kerala Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu in establishing specialised rare earth corridorsThese corridors are envisioned as comprehensive hubs that will encompass the entire value chain of rare earth developmentâspanning mining processing research and advanced manufacturingThis announcement builds upon the rare earth permanent magnet scheme introduced in November 2025 marking a deliberate step towards strengthening Indiaâs domestic capabilities in a sector long dominated by importsThe Cabinet approved the scheme in November to promote the manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets in the country with an investment of Rs 7280 croreThis firstofitskind initiative aims to establish 6000 metric tons per annum of integrated rare earth permanent magnet REPM manufacturing capacity in India thereby enhancing selfreliance and positioning India as a key player in the global market according to the Cabinet communiqueAt present India relies heavily on supplies from China a dependence that has raised strategic concerns given the importance of rare earths in electronics renewable energy electric vehicles defence technologies and frontier manufacturingBy fostering indigenous capacity the government aims to secure supply chains vital to national growth and securityThe choice of states is far from arbitrary Odisha Kerala Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu possess abundant deposits of monazite and other beach sand minerals particularly along their coastal beltsThese resources are rich in rare earth elements making them natural candidates for integrated developmentThe corridors will not merely focus on extraction but will extend to highvalue processing and the production of rare earth magnets thereby ensuring that India captures greater economic and technological value from its own reservesIndustry observers have welcomed the move interpreting it as a strategic response to global anxieties over Chinaâs nearmonopoly in rare earth production and exportsThe initiative dovetails neatly with the objectives of the National Critical Minerals Mission and complements recent reforms in the mining sector aimed at enhancing transparency and efficiencyIt signals Indiaâs determination to achieve selfreliance in critical minerals a cornerstone of its broader industrial and energy transition IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-charts-rare-earth-corridors-to-break-chinas-grip-on-critical-minerals-660504.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 15:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/cii-lauds-budget-2026-27-for-fiscal-prudence-capex-push-660511.html New Delhi Feb 1 The Confederation of Indian Industry CII on Sunday said the Union Budget 202627 with its nextâgeneration reforms builds confidence and its thrust on public capital expenditure will enhance private investment CII welcomed the continued focus on fiscal prudence noting that the fiscal deficit target of 43 per cent of GDP for FY27 reinforces confidence in Indiaâs macroeconomic managementThere is broad recognition on fiscal discipline including adherence to the debttoGDP glide path to reach 50 per cent of GDP by FY31 balanced with flexible policy calibrated to economic realities the industry body saidThe increase in public capital expenditure to Rs 122 lakh crore with effective capital expenditure exceeding Rs 17 lakh crore will crowd in private investment strengthen infrastructure and improve productivity across sectors it addedAt a time of heightened global uncertainty the Budget sends a reassuring signal of continuity credibility confidence and longterm vision for Indiaâs development journey said Chandrajit Banerjee Director General CIIFurther the focus on highquality infrastructure through new freight corridors expansion of inland waterways highspeed rail networks and the proposed infrastructure risk guarantee framework will significantly enhance logistics efficiency and reduce the cost of doing businessCII also highlighted that the emphasis on sectors such as semiconductors biopharma chemicals capital goods textiles sports goods critical minerals and electronics is timely and aligned with Indiaâs ambition to emerge as a global manufacturing hubThe expansion of the India Semiconductor Mission support for critical minerals and rejuvenation of industrial clusters will help deepen domestic value chains strengthen selfreliance and enhance export competitivenessThe industry body also welcomed strong support for MSMEs including the Rs 10000 crore SME Growth Fund enhanced credit support through TReDS and simplified compliance mechanisms which will improve access to finance and formalisationFurther the CII lauded the emphasis on ease of doing business commending the riskbased customs clearance greater digitisation reduced compliance burden and enhanced regulatory certainty which will improve the investment climate and support faster execution of projects IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/cii-lauds-budget-2026-27-for-fiscal-prudence-capex-push-660511.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 15:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/nasas-perseverance-rover-completes-1st-ai-planneddriveon-mars-660459.html New Delhi Feb 1 The sixwheeled Perseverance rover has completed the first drives on Mars that were planned by artificial intelligence AI NASA said Conducted on December 8 and 10 2025 the demonstration used generative AI to create waypoints for Perseverance The complex decisionmaking task is typically performed manually by the missionâs human rover planners at the US space agencyâs Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern CaliforniaâThis demonstration shows how far our capabilities have advanced and broadens how we will explore other worldsâ said NASA Administrator Jared IsaacmanâAutonomous technologies like this can help missions to operate more efficiently respond to challenging terrain and increase science return as distance from Earth grows Itâs a strong example of teams applying new technology carefully and responsibly in real operationsâ he addedThe rover about the size of a car and carrying seven scientific instruments has been exploring Mars studying its geology and atmosphere as well as collecting samples since 2021During the demonstration the team leveraged a type of generative AI called visionlanguage models to analyse existing data from the surface mission datasetThe AI used the same imagery and data that human planners rely on to generate waypoints fixed locations where the rover takes up a new set of instructions so that Perseverance could safely navigate the challenging Martian terrainThe initiative was led out of JPLâs Rover Operations Center ROC in collaboration with Anthropic using the companyâs Claude AI modelsThe team for the sixwheeled scientist used a visioncapable AI to create a safe route over the Red Planetâs surface without the input of human route plannersNASA noted that on December 8 with generative AI waypoints in its memory Perseverance drove 689 feet 210 metres Two days later it drove 807 feet 246 metres IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/nasas-perseverance-rover-completes-1st-ai-planneddriveon-mars-660459.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 11:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/govt-hikes-component-manufacturing-outlay-to-rs-40-000-crore-announces-india-semiconductor-mission-20-660470.html New Delhi Feb 1 Giving a thrust to âMake in Indiaâ and domestic manufacturing Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced the launch of the India Semiconductor Mission ISM 20 while increasing the outlay for electronics component manufacturing to Rs 40000 crore to strengthen local production and innovation Indiaâs Semiconductor Mission 10 expanded the countryâs semiconductor capabilities and building on this the government will launch ISM 20 to produce equipment and materials develop fullstack Indian IP and strengthen supply chains she said while presenting the Budget 202627We will also focus on industryled research and training centres to develop technology and a skilled workforce The Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme launched in April 2025 with an outlay of Rs 22999 crore already has investment commitments at double the targets the Finance Minister told the HouseThe Union Budget 202627 also proposed to introduce a dedicated Rs 10000 crore SME growth fund to create future jobs incentivising enterprises based on select criteriaâFor the labourintensive textile sector the Finance Minister proposed an integrated programme with five key components The first is the National Fibre Scheme aimed at achieving selfreliance in natural fibres like silk wool and jute as well as manmade and new industrialage fibresThe second is the Textile Expansion and Employment Scheme which seeks to modernise traditional clusters by providing capital support for machinery technology upgrades and common testing and certification centresThe third component is the National Handloom and Handicraft Programme NHHP designed to integrate and strengthen existing schemes while ensuring targeted support for weavers and artisansA government scheme for rareearth permanent magnets was launched in November 2025We now propose to support the mineralrich states of Odisha Kerala Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu to establish dedicated rare earth corridors announced FM Sitharaman during her Budget speech IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/govt-hikes-component-manufacturing-outlay-to-rs-40-000-crore-announces-india-semiconductor-mission-20-660470.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/budget-2026-27-hikes-govt-capex-to-rs-122-lakh-crore-in-big-push-to-infra-660473.html New Delhi Feb 1 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced a capital expenditure of Rs 122 lakh crore in the Budget for 202627 to boost bigticket infrastructure projects for growth and jobs in the economy Presenting the Budget the Finance Minister said that an Infrastructure Risk Development Fund would be set up to accelerate the development of big projectsShe said to push economic growth the Budget proposes to deliver a powerful push to infrastructure including highways ports railways and power projects scale up manufacturing in 7 strategic sectors and create champion MSMEsThe government has maintained fiscal prudence and monetary stability whilst maintaining a strong thrust on public investments she said stressing that India must deeply integrate with global markets exporting more and attracting foreign investment as wellThe Finance Minister said that the government has undertaken comprehensive reforms towards creating employment boosting productivity and accelerating growth Over 350 reforms have been rolled out and the Reforms Express is well on its way and India will continue to take confident steps towards Viksit Bharat balancing ambition with inclusion she saidSithamaraman said that the Union Budget prepared in Kartivya Bhavan is based on three karatavyas duties We are inspired by three kartavya accelerate and sustain economic growth fulfill aspirations of people and build capacity and the third is to ensure that every family community and region has access to resourcesThe first kartavya is to scale up manufacturing in seven strategic and frontier sectors she saidShe said that the first requirement is to sustain the moment of momentum of structural reforms continuous adaptive and forwardlookingCuttingedge technologies including AI can serve as growth multipliers she addedOver 350 reforms have been rolled out As a growing economy with expanding trade and capital needs India must also remain deeply integrated with global markets she added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/budget-2026-27-hikes-govt-capex-to-rs-122-lakh-crore-in-big-push-to-infra-660473.html Sun, 01 Feb 2026 12:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-converting-waste-to-clean-energy-at-scale-hardeep-puri-660263.html New Delhi Jan 30 Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday highlighted that the Biofuels Zone at India Energy Week 2026 showcases how waste is being transformed into clean energy at scale in the country With 133 CBG compressed biogas plants commissioned of 926 TPD tonnes per day capacity and availability at 410 retail outlets Indiaâs CBG ecosystem is expanding rapidly strengthening energy security and sustainability the minister saidAnother 83 CBG are under construction and will create an additional capacity of around 700 TPD The TPD represents the daily capacity of waste feedstock such as agricultural residue that a plant can process to generate compressed biogas and organic manureCBG plants convert organic waste such as agricultural residue cattle dung municipal solid waste and sugarcane press mud into purified compressed methane These plants promoted under the SATAT scheme to reduce pollution and import dependency produce a renewable fuel with over 9095 per cent methane content acting as a direct green alternative to CNG in vehicles and industriesOrganic waste undergoes anaerobic decomposition to produce biogas which is then purified to remove carbon dioxide hydrogen sulphide and water vapour at the CBG plants CBG is similar to CNG in calorific value making it suitable for automotive industrial and commercial use It reduces reliance on imported natural gas promotes wastetoenergy decreases carbon emissions and boosts rural incomes The production of CBG also helps reduce reliance on imported natural gas and crude oilBesides the CBG plants produce highquality organic manure fermented organic manure as a byproduct which can be used in farms to increase crop yieldsThe SATAT Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation scheme was launched on October 1 2018 aiming to establish 5000 CBG plants nationwide The plants also play a key role in responsible waste management and the reduction of pollutionIndia Energy Week 2026 Indiaâs flagship energy exhibition and conference is being held in Goa from January 27 to 30 It has brought together over 75000 energy professionals more than 700 global exhibitors from 120 countries along with global ministers senior policymakers industry leaders innovators and investors IEW 2026 highlights Indiaâs role in balancing energy access with decarbonisation goals while supporting discussions on secure sustainable and affordable energy through strategic investments new technologies and global partnerships IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-converting-waste-to-clean-energy-at-scale-hardeep-puri-660263.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/strong-economic-growth-jobsand-positive2026outlookdrivingconsumer-confidence-in-india-660266.html New Delhi Jan 30 A strong economic growth coupled with increasing job prospects and a positive outlook for 2026 is driving consumer confidence in India according to a report Market research firm Ipsosâ report showed that consumer sentiment in India increased by 14 percentage points in January 2026 placing the country second among 30 markets with a national index score of 607The report showed that this month the GCCI rose 05 points to 499 After stagnating for much of 2025 the index has increased for the third consecutive month reflecting an improved global mood to start 2026 The GCCI is currently 13 points higher than the same time last yearâThe rise in consumer sentiment reflects confidence in Indiaâs economic fundamentals supported by sustained domestic demand improving employment expectations and a positive outlook for growthâ said Suresh Ramalingam CEO Ipsos IndiaâTogether these factors are shaping more optimistic consumer perceptions and reinforcing Indiaâs position among the strongerperforming markets globallyâ he addedThe report cited mixed trends across subindices The PCSI economic expectations subindex rose sharply by 66 points while the PCSI employment subindex increased by 63 points reflecting strong optimism about future economic activity and job opportunitiesMeanwhile the current personal financial conditions subindex edged down slightly by 06 points and the investment climate subindex fell 20 points signalling some caution around personal finances and investmentFurther the Global Consumer Confidence Index GCCI is based on a monthly survey of more than 21000 adults under the age of 75 from 30 countries conducted on Ipsosâ Global Advisor online platform GCCI is calculated as the average of all surveyed countriesâ overall or ânationalâ indicesAmong the 30 countries surveyed Indonesia 626 leads the National Index followed by India 607 Only these two markets surpassed the 60point mark this monthEleven additional countries scored above 50 including Malaysia Thailand Sweden Brazil Mexico Australia the US the Netherlands Singapore Colombia and PolandAt the lower end France 398 Hungary 361 and Türkiye 346 recorded National Index scores below 40 the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/strong-economic-growth-jobsand-positive2026outlookdrivingconsumer-confidence-in-india-660266.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/ambuja-cements-clocks-258-pc-net-profit-jump-in-q3-with-highest-ever-quarterly-volume-660270.html Ahmedabad Jan 30 Adani Groupâs Ambuja Cements on Friday posted strong results for the OctoberDecember quarter Q3 FY26 with net profit surging 258 per cent yearonyear at Rs 3781 crore with highestever quarterly volume at 189 million tonnes up 17 per cent onyear While revenue was up 20 per cent EBITDA rose 53 per cent at Rs 1353 crore in the quarterWith net worth at Rs 69854 crore up by Rs 361 crore the cement major remains debt free and continues to maintain highest rating Crisil and CARE AAA stableA1 with healthy cash flows to sustain the capex programmeThe December quarter has been transformative for Ambuja Cements Among the most defining steps is the announcement of the amalgamation of ACC Limited and Orient Cement Limited with Ambuja Cements Limited creating a unified âOne Cement Platformâ that will accelerate âour growth trajectory operational excellence capital efficiency strengthen our leadership position and longterm value creationâ said the company in a statementAligned to its growth blueprint the company commissioned the 24 MTPA Marwar Grinding Unit expanding its total cement capacity to 109 MTPAâWe achieved highest ever quarterly volumes higher tradepremium cement sales resulting into better realisation than industry peers and better base capacity volume growth This has helped us to improve our market leadershipâ said Vinod Bahety Whole Time Director and CEO Ambuja CementsâWe are now working to fix some of the specific issues on cost importantly power cost share of green power fuel efficiency improvement of WHRSAFR improvement of logistics cost which is part of the blueprint to achieve the targeted cost of Rs 3650 PMT by March 2028â he informedThe company commissioned 225 MW solar power in the quarter taking renewable energy capacity to 898 MW and remains on track for 1122 MW by FY27âThe cost leadership journey has resulted in a 2 per cent lower cost of sales in Q3 same for 9 months FY26 is 3 per cent YoY and enabled our existing assets to deliver EBITDA of Rs 850 PMT in Q3 Rs 1045 in 9M and an overall EBITDA of Rs 718 PMT in Q3 Rs 943 in 9M The One Cement Platform will help us to accelerate on our efforts on efficiency and growthâ said Bahety IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/ambuja-cements-clocks-258-pc-net-profit-jump-in-q3-with-highest-ever-quarterly-volume-660270.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/china-based-manga-piracy-website-forced-to-shut-down-report-660278.html New Delhi Jan 30 A Chinabased manga piracy website has been forced to shut down after a criminal complaint was filed with Chinese authorities multiple reports said Japanâs antipiracy coalition Content Overseas Distribution Association CODA worked with cyber security experts to identify the operator of BatoToIt is believed to be one of the worlds biggest manga piracy sites and the illegally uploaded content included Japanese manga reports www3nhkorjpCODA says the site had 60 domains and was accessed up to 350 million times a monthReports said that Batotoâs operator has since been released on bail and is expected to be formally indicted Batoâs operator was reportedly making over 57000 a month in illicit advertising revenueAccording to the coalition the website âobtained illegally uploaded manga for scanning and translating comic books The site is said to have had content in about 50 languages The problem of copyright piracy is getting worse as translation has been made easier through the widespread use of artificial intelligenceGoto Takero CODA Representative Director was quoted as saying that his group will continue to tackle the problem in view of the global popularity of Japanese mangaCODA announced the arrest of an individual on suspicion of copyright infringement on November 19th who âhas admitted to operatingâ Batoto and approximately 60 related sites such as xbatocom and mangaparkioBatoto grew to become one of the most recognisable online platforms for âscanalationâIn this technique manga manhwa and other comics are scanned edited with translated text and then distributed by online user communities according to reportsAccording to reports the 60 shuttered sites recorded a combined 350 million visits in May 2025 alone with Batoto making more than 400000 yuan around 57000 in advertising revenue during peak months IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/china-based-manga-piracy-website-forced-to-shut-down-report-660278.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/adani-foundation-adani-electricityobservenational-girl-child-day-across-mumbai-schools-660279.html New Delhi Jan 30 Adani Foundation supported by Adani Electricity recently observed National Girl Child Day with students from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC schools in Mumbai The day was observed on January 24 as part of the flagship CSR initiative Project UtthanIn a collaborative effort to promote early empowerment and equality Project Utthan by Adani Foundation supported by Adani Electricity in collaboration with the BMC observed National Girl Child Day across BMC schoolsâ according to an official statementRecognising that a just society begins with the foundational years the programme focused on early empowerment safety and equality for students in Classes 1 to 4Moving beyond traditional celebrations the initiative utilised experiential learning such as roleplaying and problemsolving to position girls as confident decisionmakersBy involving boys as allies the programme successfully reinforced values of empathy and shared responsibilityAligned with NEP 2020 and the NIPUN Bharat Mission this collaboration reaffirms a commitment to closing learning gaps and nurturing a generation of aware compassionate and empowered young citizens the statement saidIn Mumbai the Adani Foundation and Adani Electricity in collaboration with the BMC Education Department have extended Utthan to all 947 BMC primary schools reaching 148 lakh students across 25 wards and eight mediumsThe project places special emphasis on Priya Vidyarthis progressive learners offering focused academic guidance and joyful learning experiences that help them grow steadilyA team of over 300 trained women Utthan Sahayaks forms the core of the programmeDrawn from local communities they support classroom teaching help students overcome learning gaps engage regularly with parents document childrenâs progress and strengthen trust at the community level Their presence has brought structure warmth and continuity to daily learningAcross India Project Utthan operates in five states supporting 1200 government schools and reaching nearly 180 lakh studentsIts focus on equitable access personalised support and NEPaligned practices positions it as a strong model for strengthening government education systems and helping children build the skills and confidence they need to succeed IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/adani-foundation-adani-electricityobservenational-girl-child-day-across-mumbai-schools-660279.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/wavex-invites-applications-from-startups-for-india-ai-summit-next-month-660281.html New Delhi Jan 30 Governmentâs startup accelerator platform WaveX on Friday said it has invited applications from startups for participation in the âIndia AI Impact Summit 2026â next month WaveX will facilitate a dedicated Startup Exhibition Programme enabling selected startups to showcase their AIdriven products and solutions to a diverse national and international audienceAccording to IT Ministry startups operating in the AVGCXR segment and working on AIdriven products will be provided with dedicated showcase and business networking opportunities at the MIB Pavilion during the AI Impact SummitâThe MIB Pavilion will serve as a central hub for showcasing cuttingedge and emerging AI technologies in the media and entertainment sector enabling innovators to engage with policymakers industry leaders investors and global stakeholders and fostering collaboration across the creative and technology ecosystemâ said the ministryThe Summit from February 1620 at Bharat Mandapam here will serve as a key national platform for showcasing innovative Artificial Intelligence AI solutions and fostering collaboration across Indiaâs rapidly growing AI ecosystemThe âIndia AI Impact Summit 2026â is expected to play a significant role in strengthening Indiaâs AI innovation ecosystem by facilitating structured engagement between startups and key stakeholdersWaveX focuses on fostering innovation in the media entertainment and language technology ecosystem It serves as a bridge between innovators government institutions and industry leadersThe upcoming AI Impact Summit has been designed with a clear focus on three outcomes as India gradually emerges as trusted partner in the world thanks to sovereign Models safety frameworks and a strong semiconductor ecosystemThe first objective of the Summit is impact â how AI models applications and the overall AI ecosystem can be used to improve efficiency increase productivity and create a multiplier effect for the economy The second objective is accessibility particularly for India and the Global South The third objective of the AI Impact Summit is safety IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/wavex-invites-applications-from-startups-for-india-ai-summit-next-month-660281.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/cash-crunch-to-cut-shortpakistans-polio-vaccinationcampaign-660288.html IslamabadNew Delhi Jan 30 Pakistan has cut short the antipolio campaign over cash crunch and a slash in workers payments according to a media report The Tribune Express reported that the duration of the antipolio drive has been reduced to just four days from the earlier scheduled seven daysMajor cuts have also been made to the compensation of male and female polio workers area incharges and union council medical officersWhile polio workers previously paid a lump sum of 13000 Pakistani Rupees per campaign will now be paid 7000 Pakistani Rupees area incharges who earlier received a total of 19000 Pakistani Rupees for the campaign period will now be paid 9216 Pakistani RupeesThe Union council medical officers also face a slash in salary from 25000 Pakistani Rupees per campaign they will now receive only 16000 Pakistani Rupees the report saidThe reduced compensation is due to a shortage of funds with the health department facing a severe financial and economic crisis it addedAmid concerns over the possibility of further reductions polio workers have also launched a protest demanding a rollback of the wage cuts and restoration of the full previous compensation They warned of intensifying protests if the demands are not metTerming the move unjust female polio workers urged the government to curb âits own extravagance instead of robbing poor dailywage workers of their compensationâ The Pakistani government meanwhile has decided to continue the wage cuts in phases the report saidShockingly the report noted that claims by the district administration about eliminating polio in Rawalpindi last year are fake with new sampling has found a large presence of the polio virus in the citys sewageOfficial records also cite a significant increase in refusal cases in Rawalpindi including in posh areas such as KhayabaneSir Syed and Satellite TownTo curb the spread the health authorities have called for monthly antipolio campaigns and targetting families refusing polio dropsThe next antipolio campaign in Rawalpindi district will begin on February 2 and will continue from Monday February 2 to Thursday February 5 the report said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/cash-crunch-to-cut-shortpakistans-polio-vaccinationcampaign-660288.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/aiims-research-day-fosters-discussion-on-innovation-ai-and-national-health-priorities-660293.html New Delhi Jan 30 The All India Institute of Medical Sciences Delhi on Friday observed AIIMS Research Day 2026 showcasing innovation artificial intelligence AI and national health priorities The scientific programme held at the Jawaharlal Auditorium brought together faculty members researchers clinicians and students from across disciplines who reaffirmed their commitment to innovation translational science and nationally relevant health researchâAIIMS Research Day provides an important institutional platform to recognise research excellence encourage young investigators and align our scientific efforts with national health priorities As Indiaâs premier public medical institution AIIMS remains committed to fostering innovation strengthening translational research and creating an enabling ecosystem that supports impactful patientcentred scienceâ said Prof M Srinivas Director All India Institute of Medical Sciences New DelhiThe Day served as a platform to celebrate research excellence encourage interdisciplinary dialogue and reaffirm the institutionâs role in advancing evidencebased healthcare innovation and policyrelevant research in IndiaProfessor Nikhil Tandon Dean Research informed that AIIMS Delhi currently anchors one of the countryâs most active publicsector research ecosystems with over 1000 funded biomedical research projects supported by investments exceeding Rs 300 croreFiftyseven scientists from AIIMS New Delhi are ranked among the worldâs top two per cent of researchersHe noted that AIIMS has also expanded its focus on research translation with its innovation and incubation programme having received over 140 innovation applications supported 30 startups and facilitated more than Rs 25 crore in external fundingFurther Dr Shivkumar Kalyanaraman Chief Executive Officer Anusandhan National Research Foundation spoke on AI for science and engineering and highlighted the transformative role of emerging technologiesâThe integration of AI with science and engineering offers unprecedented opportunities to accelerate research enhance problemsolving and address complex societal challenges Institutions such as AIIMS play a critical role in translating these technological advances into solutions that directly benefit public health and national developmentâ Dr KalyanaramanThe daylong event also featured platform and poster presentations by undergraduate and postgraduate medical students residents doctoral scholars and nursing students reflecting strong research engagement across the academic and career life courseThe sessions were complemented by discussions on emerging research challenges national health priorities and the future of interdisciplinary collaboration IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/aiims-research-day-fosters-discussion-on-innovation-ai-and-national-health-priorities-660293.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-to-soon-sign-fta-with-chile-to-boost-access-to-critical-minerals-piyush-goyal-660298.html New Delhi Jan 30 India will soon conclude a free trade agreement FTA with Chile which will help the country secure access to critical minerals Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday Referring to the agreement with the EFTA countries he said it includes a commitment of 100 billion in foreign direct investment into India aimed at supporting infrastructure development innovation and precision manufacturingThis investment he said has the potential to generate nearly 50 lakh jobs He also highlighted New Zealandâs commitment to invest 20 billion in India over the next 15 years compared to its total investment of only 70 million over the past 25 yearsIndia has signed eight free trade agreements in the last four years reflecting a fundamental shift in the countryâs engagement with the global economy the minister informedThese agreements cover major economies across Europe and other regions including the 27nation European Union the fournation EFTA bloc comprising Switzerland Liechtenstein Norway and Iceland the United Kingdom Australia New Zealand the United Arab Emirates and OmanThe Minister noted that these agreements are opening up new and significant opportunities for Indian talent skills and young professionals while strengthening Indiaâs integration with global value chainsCiting the IndiaâEuropean Union FTA Goyal said it covers nearly onethird of humanity accounts for about 25 per cent of global GDP and represents a significant share of global trade while addressing the World Forum of Accountants organised by The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India ICAI in Greater NoidaHe said it was for no small reason that the President of the European Commission had described the IndiaâEU FTA as the âmother of all dealsâGoyal said that the European Union alone imports goods worth nearly 7 trillion and services worth 3 trillion together representing a 10 trillion market He said that Indiaâs current exports are only a small fraction of this potential and emphasised that the opportunities before India are unprecedented and must be seized IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-to-soon-sign-fta-with-chile-to-boost-access-to-critical-minerals-piyush-goyal-660298.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/soaring-food-inflation-unemployment-ratesdeepenpakistans-socioeconomiccrisis-660299.html New Delhi Jan 30 Pakistanâs socioeconomic crisis is being worsened by rising food inflation and unemployment rates according to a media report Maldives Insight cited the World Bankâs data to show that about 45 per cent of the population in Pakistan is classified as living below the Poverty Line BPL The countryâs unemployment rate remains at a 21year low with investment at a 50year low and gross debttoGDP ratio at 713 per centâAll this deepens stagnation inequality fiscal strain and IMF dependency complicates reforms even as debt default risk increasesâ the report saidFurther the report cited increasing monthly household expenditure on food from 8679 in 201819 to 8807 in 202324The data from the latest Household Integrated Economic Survey also showed a decline in food consumption to 8147 kg from 8695 kg during the same periodâA major share of household income is spent on basic food items The second largest share of expenditure is on housing water electricity gas and other fuels reflecting the rising cost of housing and utilitiesâ reads the survey published by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics PBSIn addition a declining foreign inflow increased Pakistanâs debttoGDP ratio It reached 714 per cent even though the statutory limit set by law is 60 per centAs a result the countrys investment ratio fell to just 131 per cent of GDP the lowest in 50 years instead of the target of 15 per cent forcing it to seek external loans to meet its development needs the report said It added that the ratio may further slip below 13 per centAlmost 560 per cent of Pakistanâs budget goes to debt servicing forcing international financial institutions to call Pakistanâs debt unsustainableâHow can any investor commit capital to a nation where deeprooted uncertainty is the norm a fact clearly mirrored in the steady decrease of foreign direct investmentâ said Aamir Aziz a textile manufacturer and exporter from PakistanAccording to Yousuf Nazar former head of Citigroupâs emerging markets investments Pakistanâs debt has emerged as the central limitation on both fiscal policy and economic growthâPakistanâs debt burden has already breached the threshold of sustainabilityâ he saidâThe choice now is stark summon the political will for reform or remain trapped in a cycle where yesterdayâs borrowing consumes each new budget Debt service has become not just a fiscal constraint but a social crisisâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/soaring-food-inflation-unemployment-ratesdeepenpakistans-socioeconomiccrisis-660299.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/nse-finally-gets-sebi-nod-for-ipo-all-eyes-on-drhp-now-660306.html Mumbai Jan 30 The National Stock Exchange NSE on Friday announced it has received the SEBI approval for its longawaited initial public offering IPO NSEs IPO plans had been stalled for more than a decade as the markets regulator did not grant approval due to regulatory concerns related to governance lapses and the colocation caseWith SEBIâs nod in place NSE will now finalise the structure and timing of its IPO NSE is reportedly said to be planning to file its draft listing papers by the March end and is in discussions with investment bankers and law firms to finalise the IPO papersHowever the NSE IPO depends on the clearing of the draft red herring prospectus DRHPâWe are delighted to receive SEBI approval for our IPO â a significant milestone in our growth journey With SEBIâs approval we embark on a new chapter of value creation for all our stakeholdersâ said Srinivas Injeti Chairperson NSEâThis approval also reinforces confidence in NSE being an integral part of the Indian economy and a beacon of Indian capital marketsâ he said in a statementNSE has been trying to list its shares since 2016 However the plan was held up due to regulatory probes linked to its colocation facility and broader governance issuesAshishkumar Chauhan Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NSE this month visited Tirupati with his family and offered prayers at the temple of Lord Venkateshwara seeking blessings for the exchange its members shareholders and the country He said that prayers were offered for the wellbeing of NSE and for the broader growth of the nationEarlier SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey stated that NSE was expected to receive approval for its muchawaited IPO within this monthMarket participants were closely watching regulatory developments around NSEâs proposed IPO which is expected to be one of the most significant listings in Indiaâs capital markets NSE is the most widely held unlisted firm in India IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/nse-finally-gets-sebi-nod-for-ipo-all-eyes-on-drhp-now-660306.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 01:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/us-sees-india-as-key-partner-in-pax-silica-ai-push-660320.html Washington Jan 30 The US is positioning India as a key future partner in a new economic security framework aimed at securing global supply chains for artificial intelligence and advanced technologies Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg said on Friday Speaking at the Hudson Institute Helberg said Washington is preparing to expand its Pax Silica initiative The effort is an economic security coalition focused on semiconductors critical minerals logistics and AI infrastructureHe said the US âlooks forward to welcoming India next monthâ as part of the partnership highlighting New Delhiâs growing role in technology and supply chain discussionsHelberg said the global technology landscape has changed sharply over the past decade He said longheld assumptions in Washington no longer holdâThe hardware of our modern life the silicon that powers everything from your kidsâ smartphones to our most advanced kinetic weapons has become the primary theatre of strategic competitionâ he said adding that supply chains are no longer neutral commercial systems but tools of geopolitical powerHelberg said the Trump administration views the AI race as a contest on three fronts innovation market diffusion and supply chain security He warned that shortages of chips minerals or infrastructure could slow progress across the technology stackâWinning the AI race means winning on three frontsâ he saidHelberg pointed to what he described as a resurgence of the US economy He cited growth of 54 per cent and said the worldâs ten largest companies by market capitalisation are all American most of them technology firmsHe credited that performance to President Donald Trumpâs economic agenda He said the administration is determined to ensure Americanled systems become the global default in emerging technologiesPax Silica Helberg said is meant to turn that ambition into coordinated action with trusted partners He described it as a coalition of technologically capable economies that together account for a dominant share of global semiconductor manufacturing capacityAlong with Indiaâs expected entry Helberg said recent partners include Qatar and the United Arab Emirates He said discussions are also underway with countries in Europe Asia and the Western HemisphereThe initiative will operate along three lines of effort membership policy and projects On policy Helberg said partners are working toward shared definitions of sensitive technologies and critical infrastructure He said discussions are also underway on antidumping practicesOn projects Helberg said the focus will be on industrial capacity and logistics Pilot efforts will be launched on a bilateral or âplurilateralâ basis rather than through a single multilateral modelHelberg said the private sector will remain âour biggest weaponâ He said governments should remove regulatory hurdles protect intellectual property and create incentives rather than run projects themselvesHe said securing supply chains will require more than policy coordination It will also require productdriven solutions including intelligent logistics systems that can anticipate disruptionsOn China Helberg said Pax Silica is ânot a China strategyâ but âan America strategyâ He said the focus is on ensuring reliable and competitive access to minerals manufacturing and logisticsHe said the US will take a âtrust but verifyâ approach with partners and avoid rigid âpurity testsâ that could weaken cooperation IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/us-sees-india-as-key-partner-in-pax-silica-ai-push-660320.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 01:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/tests-underway-for-uncrewed-mission-gaganyaan-slated-for-2027-isro-chairman-660323.html New Delhi Jan 30 The ISRO is undertaking several tests for the launch of Gaganyaans first uncrewed mission G1 slated for March ahead of its human spaceflight in 2027 Chairman V Narayanan said on Friday Speaking to reporters Narayanan stated that the tests are focused on enhancing the safety of Gaganyatris Shubhanshu Shukla Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair Ajit Krishnan and Angad PratapEvery system involved in the mission has to be qualified he saidGaganyaan programme is planned in 2027 Before that three uncrewed missions are planned We are working towards the first uncrewed mission the ISRO chief saidThere are a lot of tests that are happening The safety of the Gaganyaan mission is very important We have to be very careful and qualify every system In the rocket system we need to score a hundred out of a hundred he addedThe G1 mission is about 90 per cent complete with more than 8000 ground tests including structural qualifications successfully conducted This is paving the way for software simulations and environmental validations to meet the targeted scheduleThe G1 test along with the Vyommitra robot is being planned for March 2026 and will validate life support reentry and recovery systemsPreviously Narayanan also ruled out possible delays in the Gaganyaan mission due to the backtoback PSLV rocket launch failureWhile noting that an investigation into the failures is underway he stated that the programmes are independent of each otherThe Gaganyaan mission will carry astronauts to low Earth orbit for a 3day mission and bring them back safely to EarthThe astronauts will be launched into a 400 km orbit aboard the humanrated LVM3 rocketGaganyaans success will mark a major step for India in space exploration It will also pave the way for future missions and a space station by 2035 and a manned moon mission by 2040 IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/tests-underway-for-uncrewed-mission-gaganyaan-slated-for-2027-isro-chairman-660323.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 01:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-first-lng-powered-passenger-train-enters-service-in-ahmedabad-660327.html Ahmedabad Jan 30 Indian Railways has taken a major step towards cleaner rail transport with the arrival of the countryâs first passenger train powered by liquefied natural gas LNG in Ahmedabad The train has entered regular service after completing extensive trials officials confirmed on Friday and is capable of covering up to 2200 kilometres on a single tankThe LNGbased dual fuel train was reviewed at the Integrated Coaching Depot in Sabarmati by Ahmedabad Divisional Railway Manager Ved PrakashAddressing the media he said the initiative marked a shift from conventional diesel operations towards more economical and environmentally responsible technologyâThis is the first time Indian Railways has operated a passenger service using LNG The system delivers almost three times the overall benefits of diesel in terms of efficiency cost and environmental impactâ he saidAs part of the project Diesel Electric Multiple Unit DEMU trains and their Driving Power Cars DPC which previously depended solely on diesel are being modified to operate on a combination of diesel and LNGTwo power cars each rated at around 1400 horsepower have already been converted under the programmeRailway officials said both units completed field trials exceeding 2000 kilometres and have since been inducted into normal passenger operations without disruptionOfficials highlighted that the use of LNG results in a marked reduction in exhaust emissions Levels of carbon dioxide nitrogen oxides and particulate matter are significantly lower compared to dieselonly operations leading to better air quality along railway routesVed Prakash said engine output and operational reliability remain unchanged under the dual fuel system which allows automatic switching between fuels based on availabilityFinancial savings form a key component of the initiativeAccording to railway estimates the conversion can generate annual savings of around Rs 119 lakh per DPC In the case of an eightcoach DEMU train fitted with two power cars the savings could rise to approximately Rs 239 lakh each year due to lower fuel costs and reduced refuelling requirementsEach modified power car is equipped with an LNG tank designed to support longdistance operationsOngoing trials are being conducted on the MahesanaâSabarmati section and officials said the technology is expected to be extended to eight to 10 additional trains after completion of mandatory tests and approvals by the Research Designs and Standards OrganisationRailway authorities said the introduction of LNGpowered passenger trains reflects Indian Railwaysâ broader efforts to lower emissions reduce operating costs and modernise its services through the adoption of cleaner energy solutions IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-first-lng-powered-passenger-train-enters-service-in-ahmedabad-660327.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 01:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/tariff-talks-between-s-korea-howard-lutnick-conclude-without-agreement-660359.html Washington Jan 31 South Koreas Industry Minister Kim Jungkwan said that his talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over renewed trade tensions ended without reaching a conclusion but their understanding of each others positions has deepened They met at the Commerce Department in Washington for the second straight day after US President Donald Trumps threatened on Monday to raise reciprocal tariffs and auto duties on Korea to 25 percent from 15 percent citing a delay in the Asian countrys legislative process supporting the implementation of a bilateral trade deal reports Yonhap news agencyOur understanding of each others positions has deepened There were discussions on how to find a middle ground Kim told reporters as he walked out of the Commerce DepartmentWe need more talks We have not yet reached a conclusion he addedAsked if there were discussions about when the US will actually raise the tariffs he refused to elaborate Negotiations are ongoing he saidKim and Lutnick plan to continue talks via video link after Kim returns home the minister saidDuring this weeks talks with Lutnick Kim was expected to underscore Seouls commitment to fulfilling its investment pledge under the trade deal with Washington that was first struck in late July and finalised months laterUnder the deal South Korea has committed to investing US350 billion in the United States among other pledges in return for the US lowering of reciprocal tariffs on South KoreaUS President Donald Trump earlier said that his administration will work something out with South Korea after he threatened earlier this week to raise reciprocal tariffs and other levies on the Asian allyWe will work something out with South Korea he said during a press availability at the White House responding to a question about whether he would increase tariffs on KoreaOn Monday Trump made the surprise announcement of a plan to increase reciprocal tariffs and auto lumber and pharmaceutical duties on South Korea to 25 percent from 15 percent taking issue with a delay in Seouls legislative procedures supporting the implementation of the trade deal IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/tariff-talks-between-s-korea-howard-lutnick-conclude-without-agreement-660359.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 16:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/cold-weather-delays-artemis-ii-mission-to-moon-to-february-8-nasa-660370.html New Delhi Jan 31 Amid cold weather conditions with winds moving through Florida NASA announced that it now targets to launch the Artemis II mission to the Moon on February 8 Earlier the mission set to launch a team of four astronauts on a journey around the Moon from Kennedy Space Center in Florida was planned for launch on February 6âDue to weather we now plan to fuel our Artemis II Moon rocket on Monday Feb 2 at Kennedy Space Center in Florida With this adjustment the earliest possible launch date is Sunday Feb 8 A launch date will be set after teams have reviewed the results of the wet dress rehearsalâ NASA shared in a post on social media platform XâOver the past several days engineers have been closely monitoring conditions as cold weather and winds move through Florida Managers have assessed hardware capabilities against the projected forecast given the rare arctic outbreak affecting the state and decided to change the timelineâ NASA addedThe US space agency stated that teams and preparations at the launch pad remain ready for the wet dress rehearsal However adjusting the timeline for the test will position NASA for success during the rehearsal as the expected weather this weekend would violate launch conditionsWhile the Artemis II crew remains in quarantine in Houston engineers have kept Orion powered and have configured its heaters for the colder temperatures NASA saidPurges used to maintain proper environmental conditions for elements of the spacecraft and rocket including the booster aft skirts are also configured for the weatherThe 10day mission will set the stage for Artemis III slated for launch in 2027 when humans will land on the lunar South Pole for the first time and set up a longterm presence thereIt comes after 50 years of the Apollo 17 mission in December 1972 when man first landed on the MoonThe Artemis II crew includes NASAâs commander Reid Wiseman pilot Victor Glover and mission specialists Christina Koch and the Canadian Space Agencyâs CSA Jeremy HansenWith Artemis II NASA will rigorously test its Orion spacecraft and deepspace exploration systems in real conditions The spacecraft however will not make a landing on the lunar surface IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/cold-weather-delays-artemis-ii-mission-to-moon-to-february-8-nasa-660370.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 16:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/centre-cracks-down-to-curb-diversion-misuse-of-fertilisers-in-crop-season-660371.html New Delhi Jan 31 The government has issued 14692 showcause notices suspended or cancelled 6373 licenses and registered 766 first information reports FIRs to curb the diversion and misuse of fertilisers during the Kharif and the ongoing Rabi season 2025â26 AprilâMid January 2026 to safeguard farmer interests and ensure the integrity of the national fertiliser supply chain an official statement said on Saturday In collaboration with state governments and districtlevel authorities extensive enforcement actions including inspections raids and legal proceedings were carried out during the crop season The Department of Fertilizers DoF in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and Farmersâ Welfare DAampFW undertook a comprehensive enforcement driveâThese proactive and stringent measures ensure the timely availability of fertilisers strengthen market discipline and preserve the integrity of fertiliser distribution systems nationwideâ said the statementImbalanced fertilisation has farreaching consequences beyond soil degradation These processes further contribute to environmental contamination and pose potential health risksAccording to the statement the adverse effects also extend to the livestock sector as crops cultivated on nutrientdepleted soils often lack essential minerals required in feed and fodder resulting in compromised animal health and diminished productivityConsequently nutrient imbalance constitutes a significant constraint to the longterm sustainability and efficiency of integrated croplivestock production systemsThe government has been actively promoting balanced fertilisation as a core strategy to restore and sustain soil health thereby supporting sustainable agricultural productivityNotably the soil health card provides farmers with a comprehensive understanding of the nutrient status and physicochemical conditions of their soilsIt also offers cropspecific recommendations on the appropriate use of chemical fertilisers biofertilisers organic inputs and soil treatments to support informed decisionmaking and longterm soil health managementBy July 2025 the scheme had provided more than 93000 farmer training programmes approximately 68 lakh field demonstrations and thousands of awareness campaignsâAs of midNovember 2025 over 2555 crore soil health cards have been distributed across the country reflecting the scale and outreach of the scheme in promoting balanced nutrient managementâ said the statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/centre-cracks-down-to-curb-diversion-misuse-of-fertilisers-in-crop-season-660371.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 16:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/blue-origin-to-pause-space-tourism-for-2-years-focus-onlunar-human-flight-programme-660381.html New Delhi Jan 31 Jeff Bezosâ Blue Origin has announced plans to pause space tourism and instead will focus on landing humans on the Moon In a blogpost Blue Origin shared that it will be retiring its New Shepard the first reusable spaceflight system to vertically land for at least two yearsThe company said it will shift resources to further accelerate development of the companys human lunar capabilitiesThe decision reflects Blue Origins commitment to the nations goal of returning to the Moon and establishing a permanent sustained lunar presenceâ the post addedSince 2021 New Shepard has provided flight to suborbital space lasting 11 minutes above the Karman line the internationally recognised boundary of spaceThe USbased company has to date flown 38 times and carried 98 humans above the KÃrmÃn line The last flight took place a week agoThe suborbital vehicle has also launched more than 200 scientific and research payloads from students academia research organisations and NASAâThis consistent and reliable performance combined with an exceptional customer experience has resulted in a multiyear customer backlogâ the company saidMeanwhile Blue Origin holds a 34 billion contract with NASA to develop its Blue Moon lander designed to ferry NASA astronauts to and fro from the MoonBlue Moon is expected to launch the Artemis 5 mission targeted to launch in 2029The company also plans to launch a pathfinder version of Blue Moon designated as the Blue Moon Mark 1 MK1SN001 on a robotic demonstration mission to the lunar surface later this yearBlue Moon Mark 1 MK1 is a singlelaunch lunar cargo lander that remains on the surface and provides safe reliable and affordable access to the lunar environment MK1 will provide cargo transport leveraging the 7metre fairing of the New Glenn launch vehicle to deliver up to three metric tons anywhere on the lunar surfaceEarlier this month the company also announced plans to build a satellite communication network called TeraWave to deliver connectivity to data centers governments and businessesBlue Origin said it will begin deploying the network in the fourth quarter of 2027 IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/blue-origin-to-pause-space-tourism-for-2-years-focus-onlunar-human-flight-programme-660381.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 16:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-smartphone-purchase-pattern-changes-as-iphone-16-tops-sales-chart-660391.html Mumbai Jan 31 Indian consumersâ smartphone buying patterns showed a marked shift moving away from the traditional budgetâsegment dominance as Apple Incâs iPhone 16 base variant emerged as the topâselling smartphone model in 2025 a report has said Counterpoint Research report said that India recorded about 154 million smartphone shipments in 2025 of which the iPhone 16 base model accounted for roughly 616 million units representing about 4 per cent of the overall market by volumeThe iPhone 16 launched in September 2024 is priced at around Rs 71000 for the base variantAround 60 per cent of premium smartphones in India are now purchased on equated monthly instalment EMI plans Counterpoint Research foundThe deviceâs strong selling in India is due to Apples brand appeal and financing options such as EMIs that have broadened affordability further supported by exchange offersApple CEO Tim Cook recently has said that the Cupertinobased company set a quarterly revenue record during the OctoberDecember period in IndiaIndia has seen Apple production and exports touching new highs with each quarterFor the December quarter Apple set alltime revenue records in the Americas Europe Japan and the rest of Asia PacificâWe continued to gain momentum in emerging markets which includes India where we saw strong doubledigit revenue growthâ said Cook during the earnings call late on Thursday US time adding that the company has plans to open another store in Mumbai soonResponding to an analyst the Apple CEO said they did set a quarterly revenue record during the December quarter in IndiaâIndia is the secondlargest smartphone market in the world and the fourth largest PC marketâ he said adding that the company set quarterly revenue records on iPhone and Mac and iPad and an alltime revenue record on servicesKevan Parekh Appleâs CFO said iPhone revenue was 853 billion up 23 per cent yearoveryear driven by the iPhone 17 family IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-smartphone-purchase-pattern-changes-as-iphone-16-tops-sales-chart-660391.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 16:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/epstein-files-claim-bill-gates-caught-sexually-transmitted-infection-sought-antibiotics-for-melinda-660395.html New Delhi Jan 31 Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates contracted sexually transmitted disease STD after alleged sexual encounters with Russian girlsâ and asked for antibiotics for his thenwife Melinda French Gates according to the latest claim in the Epstein files The fresh allegations come as the US Justice Department released a large batch of files encompassing over three million pages of records 2000 videos and 180000 images related to its investigation into financier Jeffrey EpsteinEpstein likely made the claims in draft emails dated July 18 2013 on behalf of Gates longtime science adviser Boris NikolicIt claimed involvement in activities ranging from allegedly helping Gates obtain drugs to deal with consequences of sex with Russian girlsThe draft also describes Gates asking Epstein to delete correspondence related to the alleged incident and provide antibiotics for Melinda Gates secretlyIn a separate draft email addressed to Gates Epstein again writing as Nikolic accused the billionaire of attempting to stage a coverup to protect his public imageThe draft alleges Gates asked for antibiotics so they could be given to Melinda without her knowledge and urged the deletion of emails referring to an alleged STDThe draft stated You implore me to please delete the emails regarding your STD sic your request that I provide you antibiotics that you can surreptitiously give to MelindaMeanwhile a spokesperson for Gates strongly rejected the claims contained in the documents calling them absolutely absurd and completely falseThe only thing these documents demonstrate is Epsteins frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame the spokesperson saidThe latest document release also unveiled a list of highprofile individuals including US President Donald Trump Tesla chief Elon Musk former Prince Andrew MountbattenWindsor and acclaimed Indian American filmmaker Mira NairJeffrey Epstein a wealthy US financier died in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sextrafficking charges involving underage girls His death was officially ruled a suicide IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/epstein-files-claim-bill-gates-caught-sexually-transmitted-infection-sought-antibiotics-for-melinda-660395.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 17:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/ccrasconcludesinternshipprogramme-on-aiapplications-in-ayush-660406.html New Delhi Jan 31 The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences CCRAS has successfully concluded its Internship Programme on Artificial Intelligence AI in Ayush systems the Ministry of Ayush said on Saturday The programme conducted from December 15 to strengthen the application of information technology and datadriven approaches in Ayush research concluded on January 30It also offered an interactive and interdisciplinary learning environment enabling interns to integrate traditional Ayush concepts with modern computational toolsProf Rabinarayan Acharya Director General DG CCRAS highlighted the strategic importance of AI in advancing the Ayush sector and outlined the ongoing initiatives of CCRAS in this areaâThe applications developed during the internship should be carried forward for validation and scaling through structured projectmode implementationâ he addedA total of 180 applications were received for the internship from which 33 students were selected following a structured screening process The participants worked on a wide range of AIenabled projects including applications in medicinal plant research bioinformatics Prakriti assessment medical imaging posture detection and optical character recognition OCR of manuscriptsThe projects were aligned with CCRASâs broader objectives of digital documentation evidence generation and technologyenabled validation of traditional knowledge systemsMentorship by domain experts encouraged innovation critical thinking and practical problemsolving among the participantsThey appreciated the efforts of the interns and emphasised the growing relevance of emerging technologies in strengthening evidencebased research across Ayush systemsâThe internship programme reflects CCRASâs continued commitment to capacity building innovation and institutional strengthening by engaging young talent and promoting the use of advanced technologies in Ayush research and developmentâ the Ministry saidâThe initiative is expected to contribute to the creation of a robust research ecosystem and support the longterm vision of mainstreaming Ayush through evidencebased and technologydriven approachesâ it added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/ccrasconcludesinternshipprogramme-on-aiapplications-in-ayush-660406.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 17:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/sc-ruling-on-menstrual-hygienea-landmark-stepfor-womens-dignity-stigma-free-education-experts-660422.html New Delhi Jan 31 The Supreme Courtâs recognition of menstrual hygiene as a right to life is a landmark step for womenâs dignity and stigmafree education said public health experts on Saturday The apex court on Friday ruled that access to menstrual hygiene is an integral part of a girl childâs right to life dignity health and educationA Bench of Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan while observing that âa period should end a sentence not a girlâs educationâ stated that the government bears a positive obligation under Article 21 of the Constitution to protect the right to health particularly the menstrual health of girl childrenThe SC also issued a comprehensive set of mandatory directions to all states and UTs union territories to ensure free sanitary napkins functional gendersegregated toilets and menstrual health awareness in every school across the countryâMenstrual hygiene in schools has been a longstanding problem that requires assertive intervention By mandating these measures we are preventing infections promoting equality and removing stigma We are protecting the childâs mental health and also reducing absenteeism essentially ensuring that a natural biological process does not become a barrier to a childâs futureâ Rajeev Jayadevan ExPresident of IMA Cochin and Convener of the Research Cell Kerala told IANSThe 127page detailed judgment observed that lack of access to menstrual hygiene management MHM products forces girls to resort to unhygienic alternatives such as rags or cloth or use of menstrual absorbents for prolonged periods which have demonstrably adverse consequences for their healthâRecognising menstrual health as a fundamental right is a landmark step Free sanitary pads in schools can reduce absenteeism and health risks for girlsâ Poonam Muttreja Executive Director Population Foundation of India told IANSâBut dignity also requires sustainable product choices safe disposal mechanisms water and sanitation facilities and stigmafree education without these access alone cannot deliver lasting health or environmental outcomesâ she addedIssuing a slew of directions the Court ordered that all schools governmentrun as well as privately managed must have functional gendersegregated toilets with usable water connectivity handwashing facilities with soap and infrastructure catering to children with disabilitiesOn the availability of menstrual absorbents the top court directed states and UTs to ensure that every school provides oxobiodegradable sanitary napkins free of cost preferably through vending machines within toilet premisesâEach toilet unit shall be equipped with a covered waste bin for the collection of sanitary material and cleanliness and regular maintenance of such bins shall be ensured at all timesâ the apex court saidDr Ishwar Gilada a Mumbaibased Consultant in HIV STIs and Sexual Health told IANS that as ordered by the SC timebound implementation making menstrual health part of sexual health and making it a shared responsibility not only that of women is crucialâIt is not only important to provide free sanitary napkins but even their safe disposal is equally important The Ministry of Health need not wait for another followup order on disposal of sanitary pads A vending machine approach just like it was initiated for condoms is needed for the hourâ Gilada added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/sc-ruling-on-menstrual-hygienea-landmark-stepfor-womens-dignity-stigma-free-education-experts-660422.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 17:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/industry-minister-says-unnecessary-misunderstandings-resolved-via-tariff-talks-with-us-660424.html Seoul Jan 31 South Koreas Industry Minister Kim Jungkwan said on Saturday that he thinks unnecessary misunderstandings were resolved through his talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington over renewed trade tensions this week Kim made the remark upon his return home at Incheon International Airport in Incheon west of Seoul after holding meetings at the Commerce Department on Thursday and Friday US time which ended without reaching a conclusion reports Yonhap news agencyOur mutual understanding has deepened significantly Kim said I believe some unnecessary misunderstandings have been resolvedKims trip came after US President Donald Trump threatened Monday to raise reciprocal tariffs and auto duties on South Korea to 25 percent from 15 percent citing delays in the Asian countrys legislative process supporting the implementation of a bilateral trade dealLast year the two countries agreed on a trade deal under which South Korea would invest 350 billion in the United States in return for a cut in tariff ratesThe ruling Democratic Party submitted a bill to parliament in November to implement the bilateral trade and investment deal which has yet to be passedWe have sufficiently explained that the South Korean government has no intention at all not to implement the tariff agreement reached then nor delay it Kim saidThe industry minister noted that the special bill is expected to be processed quickly and explained the background of the delay to the US sideMeanwhile Jungkwan his talks with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick over renewed trade tensions ended without reaching a conclusion but their understanding of each others positions has deepenedThey met at the Commerce Department in Washington for the second straight day after US President Donald Trumps threatened on Monday to raise reciprocal tariffs and auto duties on Korea to 25 percent from 15 percent citing a delay in the Asian countrys legislative process supporting the implementation of a bilateral trade dealOur understanding of each others positions has deepened There were discussions on how to find a middle ground Kim told reporters as he walked out of the Commerce DepartmentWe need more talks We have not yet reached a conclusion he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/industry-minister-says-unnecessary-misunderstandings-resolved-via-tariff-talks-with-us-660424.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 18:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/record-remittances-in-pakistan-actually-obscures-the-devastating-reality-report-660430.html New Delhi Jan 31 As the Pakistanâs government goes gaga over record remittances â 385 billion in FY25 â the narrative actually obscures the devastating reality that the country is haemorrhaging its future a new report has revealed The reality is that mass departure of doctors engineers and skilled professionals âshould not be called a point of pride but a shameful and profound policy failureâ reports The Express TribuneA nation cannot build its future on money wired from abroad while the talent needed to deploy it productively walks out the door the report argued adding that for a country the size of Pakistan it is actually a disaster in the makingAbout 5000 doctors 11000 engineers and 13000 accountants left Pakistan between 2024 and 2025 along with hundreds of thousands of other skilled and unskilled workersâThis exodus is hollowing out hospitals while stalling innovation and entrepreneurshipâ said the reportIT further argued that remittances may increase consumption and bolster foreign reserves but they are not a growth engineâRather than cheering the departure of our best and brightest there is a need to create a country where they want to stayâ it addedEmigration is a survival strategy borne of rational desperation for stability meritocracy and safetyâUnfortunately even where the state rewards merit such as subsidised medical education starting salaries in highly skilled professions are so low that people without familial wealth cannot even afford room and boardâ said the reportAnother report said that labour is now Pakistanâs biggest export above and beyond any single physical commodity and this is not about to changeâThe vast majority of Pakistanis abroad are engaged in lowskilled occupations often informal and precarious especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAEâ says the report in Dawn IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/record-remittances-in-pakistan-actually-obscures-the-devastating-reality-report-660430.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 18:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/record-remittances-in-pakistan-actually-obscure-the-devastating-reality-report-660432.html New Delhi Jan 31 As the Pakistanâs government goes gaga over record remittances â 385 billion in FY25 â the narrative actually obscures the devastating reality that the country is haemorrhaging its future a new report has revealed The reality is that mass departure of doctors engineers and skilled professionals âshould not be called a point of pride but a shameful and profound policy failureâ reports The Express TribuneA nation cannot build its future on money wired from abroad while the talent needed to deploy it productively walks out the door the report argued adding that for a country the size of Pakistan it is actually a disaster in the makingAbout 5000 doctors 11000 engineers and 13000 accountants left Pakistan between 2024 and 2025 along with hundreds of thousands of other skilled and unskilled workersâThis exodus is hollowing out hospitals while stalling innovation and entrepreneurshipâ said the reportIT further argued that remittances may increase consumption and bolster foreign reserves but they are not a growth engineâRather than cheering the departure of our best and brightest there is a need to create a country where they want to stayâ it addedEmigration is a survival strategy borne of rational desperation for stability meritocracy and safetyâUnfortunately even where the state rewards merit such as subsidised medical education starting salaries in highly skilled professions are so low that people without familial wealth cannot even afford room and boardâ said the reportAnother report said that labour is now Pakistanâs biggest export above and beyond any single physical commodity and this is not about to changeâThe vast majority of Pakistanis abroad are engaged in lowskilled occupations often informal and precarious especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAEâ says the report in Dawn IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/record-remittances-in-pakistan-actually-obscure-the-devastating-reality-report-660432.html Sat, 31 Jan 2026 18:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/whomonitoring-nipah-cases-in-india-rules-out-travel-curbs-660233.html New Delhi Jan 30 The risk of transmission of Nipah virus remains low and there is no need for any travel or trade restrictions said the World Health Organisation noting that it is closely monitoring the deadly virus cases in India In its latest Epidemiological Bulletin the global health body reported two cases of Nipah virus in 25yearold nurses a woman and a man working at the same private hospital in West Bengalâs North 24 Parganas districtThe WHO informed that the healthcare workers developed initial symptoms in the last week of December 2025 which progressed rapidly to neurological complications The two were placed in isolation in early JanuaryFollowing confirmation an extensive public health response was activated A total of 196 individuals who had contact with the confirmed cases were identified traced monitored and tested All contacts have remained asymptomatic and have tested negative for Nipah virus infection the WHO saidNo additional Nipah cases have been detected so far The situation is being monitoredâ it said adding that âbased on current evidence WHO does not recommend any travel or trade restrictionsâAmid reports of several countries introducing Covidstyle checking at airports over fear of spread the UN health body stated that the risk of transmission remains lowâWHO assesses the risk at the subnational level in West Bengal as moderate given the presence of fruit bat reservoirs in the IndiaâBangladesh border areas and the possibility of sporadic zoonotic spillover However the national regional and global risk remains lowâ the WHO saidâThe cases are confined to the North 24 Parganas district with no reported travel while symptomatic All identified contacts have tested negative and surveillance and infection prevention measures have been intensified The likelihood of spread to other Indian states or internationally is considered lowâ it addedThis is the seventh documented Nipah outbreak in India and the third in West Bengal following outbreaks in Siliguri 2001 and Nadia 2007Nipah is a zoonotic disease that is primarily transmitted from bats to humans either directly or through contaminated foodIt can also spread from animals such as pigs to humans and in some cases between people through close and prolonged contact particularly in healthcare settingsIn humans Nipah virus infection can range from asymptomatic illness to severe respiratory disease and fatal encephalitis Globally the case fatality rate is estimated to be between 40 per cent and 75 per cent depending on early detection and quality of clinical careCurrently there is no licensed vaccine or specific treatment for Nipah virus infectionThe WHO recommended reducing battohuman transmission by preventing bats from accessing date palm sap boiling freshly collected sap washing and peeling fruits thoroughly discarding fruits with signs of bat bites and avoiding areas where bats roost IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/whomonitoring-nipah-cases-in-india-rules-out-travel-curbs-660233.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 13:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/budget-2026-may-propose-banking-governance-bill-to-push-psu-banks-fund-big-projects-660235.html Mumbai Jan 30 The government may propose the introduction of the Banking Governance Bill on February 1 2026 in the Union Budget presentation a move aimed at enabling public sector banks PSBs finance large projects by themselves The draft legislation is expected to make PSUs more professional competitive and technologyâdriven as well as strengthen board composition and improve accountability NDTV Profit reported citing sourcesThe government may also separately consider raising the foreign direct investment FDI limit in public sector banks above the current 20 per cent cap and narrowing their pay and talent gaps with private banksThe Bill remains to be finalised and may take another three to four months before being tabled in the Parliament the report saidIts formal announcement in the Budget would signal the governmentâs intention to press ahead with one of the most significant structural reforms in the banking sector in recent yearsFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the 15th Budget of the PM Modi government on February 1 This will also be the second full Budget since the National Democratic Alliance NDA came to power for a third consecutive term in 2024Another recent report said that investors are likely to be focused on the debt metrics deficit outcome and scheduled borrowings for the next years budget to align with strategic objectivesThere has been a significant improvement in the asset quality of scheduled commercial banks with a sharp decline in the percentage of bad loans and higher recoveries according to the Economic Survey 202526It points out that the gross nonperforming asset GNPA ratio and net NPA ratio have reached multidecadal lows while the capitaltoriskweightedasset ratio CRAR of banks remained strong at 172 per cent as of September 2025The recovery rate in NPAs in banks has approximately doubled from 132 per cent in FY18 to 262 per cent in FY25 IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/budget-2026-may-propose-banking-governance-bill-to-push-psu-banks-fund-big-projects-660235.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 13:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/hyundai-steels-net-profit-plunges-84-pc-in-2025-on-construction-downturn-protectionism-660241.html Seoul Jan 30 Hyundai Steel Co South Koreas secondlargest steelmaker said on Friday its net profit plunged 84 percent in 2025 from a year earlier due to a downturn in the construction sector and rising protectionism Net profit fell to 14 billion won 970000 last year from 88 billion won the previous year the company said in a press releaseA prolonged slump in the construction industry and growing protectionism including US import tariffs weighed on earnings a company spokesperson said reports Yonhap news agencyThe United States currently imposes tariffs of up to 50 percent on steel products imported from South KoreaOperating profit rose 37 percent to 2192 billion won from 1595 billion won during the same period Sales fell 21 percent to 2273 trillion won from 2322 trillion wonIncreased sales of highend products and government measures aimed at curbing an influx of lowpriced steel imports helped lift operating profit the company saidTo improve profitability Hyundai Steel said it plans to begin mass production of thirdgeneration advanced highstrength steel AHSS in the first quarter and expand supplies of thick steel plates for offshore wind power facilities and nuclear reactors this year said the reportHyundai Steel is also building a 27 milliontonperyear electric arc furnace EAF steel mill in Louisiana scheduled for completion by 2029 to supply automotive steel to US plants operated by its affiliates Hyundai Motor Co and Kia CorpThe company has said it aims to begin construction of the plant in the third quarter and start commercial production in the first quarter of 2029Hyundai Steel announced the 58 billion investment plan in March last year as part of Hyundai Motor Groups broader US investment strategy the report mentioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/hyundai-steels-net-profit-plunges-84-pc-in-2025-on-construction-downturn-protectionism-660241.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 14:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/ai-enabled-stethoscopesmay-boostdiagnosis-ofheart-diseases-study-660047.html New Delhi Jan 29 Amid growing influence of artificial intelligence AI in healthcare a new largescale clinical trial published in The Lancet on Thursday showed that an AIenabled stethoscope can boost early detection of various heart diseases A team of Spanish researchers found that an AIenabled stethoscope helped doctors in identifying early signs of serious heart conditions such as heart failure arrhythmias and valve disease in primary care clinicsThe study found that introducing the technology to doctors led to a substantially faster and more frequent detection nearly twice as many new heart failure cases and three times as many detections of irregular heart rhythms of these cardiovascular conditions indicating that the device performed wellâPrimary care faces a growing workload and limited resources making it the ideal recipient of the efficiencies promised by artificial intelligence AI The potential of AI to improve diagnostic accuracy through decision support systems or image analysis is clear However implementing these tools into primary care workflows remains challengingâ said corresponding author Sergio CinzaSanjurjo from Santiago de Compostela University SpainThe TRICORDER trial is the first cluster randomised controlled implementation trial RCIT of a clinical AI technology on a national scale involving 205 UK NHS general practices and more than 15 million registered patients in the UKThe AI stethoscope integrates three algorithms designed to detect heart failure irregular heart rhythms and valve disease during routine appointmentsOver the 12month study period doctors performed nearly 13000 AIassisted cardiac examinationsWhile the overall heart failure detection rates were similar between the groups 1342 new cases in the AI group versus 1984 in usual care subgroup analyses showed that patients examined with the AI stethoscope had significantly higher detection rates compared to patients who were not examined with the AI deviceThe trial suggests that AI tools such as smart stethoscopes could help physicians detect heart problems earlier in routine care but only if theyâre properly integrated into daytoday clinical operationsDespite strong algorithmic accuracy realworld benefit depended heavily on clinician engagement and workflow integrationMany practices reported declining use of the AI stethoscope over time citing extra steps in routine work and limited electronic health record integration as key barriers IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/ai-enabled-stethoscopesmay-boostdiagnosis-ofheart-diseases-study-660047.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/lifestyle-changes-intake-of-ultra-processed-foods-driving-obesity-at-alarming-rate-eco-survey-660067.html New Delhi Jan 29 Obesity is rising at an alarming rate and is today a major public health challenge in India said Economic Survey for 202526 on Thursday According to the Economic Survey tabled in the Parliament by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman the concerning trend was driven by unhealthy diets lifestyle changes including sedentary lifestyles increased consumption of ultraprocessed foods UPFs and environmental factorsâIt is affecting people across all age groups and increasing the risk of NCDs such as diabetes heart disease and hypertension impacting both urban and rural populationsâ the Survey saidCiting data from the 201921 National Family Health Survey NFHS the Survey said that 24 per cent of Indian women and 23 per cent of Indian men are overweight or obese Among women aged 1549 years 64 per cent are obese and among men 40 per cent are obese The prevalence of excess weight among children under five has risen from 21 per cent in 201516 to 34 per cent in 201921As per estimates more than 33 crore children in India were obese in 2020 and it is projected to reach 83 crore children by 2035The Economic Survey also flagged concern over the rising UPF market in the country which is displacing longestablished dietary patterns worsening diet quality and is associated with increased risk of multiple chronic diseasesâIndia is one of the fastestgrowing markets for UPF sales It grew by more than 150 per cent from 2009 to 2023 Retail sales of UPFs in India surged from 09 billion in 2006 to nearly 38 billion in 2019 a 40fold rise It is during the same period that obesity has nearly doubled in both men and women This mirrors the global rise of obesity parallel to dietary shiftsâ it saidâThe rising use of UPFs imposes a substantial economic cost through higher healthcare spending lost productivity and longterm fiscal strainâ it addedThe Survey also cited comprehensive multipronged initiatives launched by the government to prevent manage and reduce obesity in the countryThe interventions include POSHAN Abhiyaan amp Poshan 20 Fit India Movement Khelo India Eat Right India Nationwide Awareness Campaign âAaj Se Thoda Kamâ and AAMs the School Health Programme and Yoga promotionThese aim to promote a holistic approach that integrates health nutrition physical activity food safety and lifestyle modifications and continue to advance the goal of a healthier stronger and obesityfree India IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/lifestyle-changes-intake-of-ultra-processed-foods-driving-obesity-at-alarming-rate-eco-survey-660067.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/govts-calibrated-fiscal-strategy-has-anchored-growth-with-stability-eco-survey-660071.html New Delhi Jan 29 The governmentâs calibrated fiscal strategy has anchored Indiaâs economic growth with stability amid global turbulence according to the Economic Survey tabled in Parliament on Thursday It highlights that rising tax collections and focus on capital expenditure has reduced the fiscal deficit and strengthened the countryâs macroeconomic fundamentalsThe Centreâs fiscal deficit is budgeted at 44 per cent of GDP in FY26 down from 48 per cent in the previous financial year Over the same period the revenue deficit as a proportion of GDP narrowed steadily reaching its lowest level of 08 per cent in FY26 since FY09 thereby leaving a greater allocation for capital expenditure and reflecting a sustained improvement in the quality of expenditure the survey statesThe Centreâs revenue receipts strengthened from an average of about 85 per cent of GDP in FY16âFY20 to 92 per cent of GDP in FY25 This improvement was driven by buoyant noncorporate tax collections which rose from about 24 per cent of GDP prepandemic to around 33 per cent postpandemic the survey observesThe direct tax base expanded steadily with income tax returns filed increasing from 69 crore in FY22 to 92 crore in FY25 Higher return filings reflect improved compliance greater use of technology in tax administration and a growing number of individuals entering the tax net as their incomes riseGross GST collections during AprilâDecember 2025 stood at Rs 174 lakh crore registering a yearonyear growth of 67 per cent GST revenue growth is broadly aligned with prevailing nominal GDP growth conditions In parallel highfrequency indicators suggest robust transaction volumes with cumulative eway bill volumes during AprilDecember 2025 growing by 21 per cent yearonyearThe Economic Survey also highlights that the effective capital expenditure of the Central government rose from an average of 27 per cent of GDP in the prepandemic period to about 39 per cent postpandemic and to a higher 4 per cent of GDP in FY25Through Special Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure the Centre has incentivised States to maintain capital spending at around 24 per cent of GDP in FY25Meanwhile the combined fiscal deficit of State Governments stayed broadly stable at around 28 per cent of GDP in the postpandemic period similar to prepandemic levels but has edged up in recent years to 32 per cent in FY25 reflecting emerging pressures on State financesIndia reduced its general government debttoGDP ratio by about 71 percentage points since 2020 even while maintaining high public investment IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/govts-calibrated-fiscal-strategy-has-anchored-growth-with-stability-eco-survey-660071.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/rising-public-health-spending-improved-access-to-preventive-curative-careeconomic-survey-660072.html New Delhi Jan 29 Increasing public health spending has improved access and affordability of preventive and curative care in the country according to the Economic Survey 202526 on Thursday The Economic Survey tabled in the Parliament by the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman drew attention to the importance of enhancements in public health for strengthening human capital and economic productivityâThe country has made significant improvements in increasing access to healthcare by providing better and more affordable facilities through public investment in health including access to preventive and curative care nutrition and health insuranceâ it saidThe improvements can be seen in reduced infant and maternal mortality rates expanding immunisation coverage and increasing access to primary healthcare servicesInitiatives like the National Health Mission Ayushman Bharat and various disease control programmes have contributed to these advancementsThe Survey documented that since 1990 India has reduced its maternal mortality rate MMR by 86 per cent far exceeding the global average of 48 per centSimilarly a 78 per cent decline in the underfive mortality rate U5MR was achieved surpassing the global reduction of 61 per cent and a 70 per cent decline in the neonatal mortality rate NMR compared to 54 per cent globally during 19902023Notably the infant mortality rate IMR marked a drop of more than 37 per cent over the past decade declining from 40 deaths per thousand live births in 2013 to 25 in 2023 This marks improvement in the state of neonatal and maternal care as well as overall healthcare and socioeconomic conditionsThe Survey also pointed out the use of digital technologies and ICT innovations to build integrated healthcare and insurance systems that enhance transparency minimise fragmentation and expand accessâInitiatives such as the Hospital Management Information System Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission ABDM and eSanjeevani have enhanced citizens access to digital health services created digital employment opportunities enabled evidencebased policymaking and improved hospital managementâ it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/rising-public-health-spending-improved-access-to-preventive-curative-careeconomic-survey-660072.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-rising-steadily-as-key-player-in-global-trade-says-eco-survey-660076.html New Delhi Jan 29 Indiaâs steady rise as a key player in global trade is evident in its increasing share of both global merchandise exports and commercial services exports said the Economic Survey 202526 released on Thursday According to the WTOâs World Trade Statistics between 2005 and 2024 Indiaâs share of global merchandise exports has nearly doubled rising from 1 per cent to 18 per centSimilarly its share in global commercial services exports has more than doubled rising from 2 per cent to 43 per centThe Survey states that Indiaâs external performance demonstrates resilience to global shocks and highlights the structural characteristics associated with a rapidly growing economy that is integrating more deeply into global marketsNotably Indiaâs total exports reached a record 8253 billion in FY25 registering a 61 per cent yearonyear growth driven primarily by robust growth in services exports which experienced a 136 per cent YoY increaseThis export momentum continued into FY26 with Q1 Q2 and Q3 recording the highestever exports for the respective quarters despite global uncertaintiesThe countryâs merchandise exports totalled 4377 billion in FY25 in which Nonpetroleum exports reached a historic high of 3743 billionElectronics pharmaceuticals electrical machinery and automobiles emerged as key export growth drivers reflecting rising competitiveness in highervalue manufacturing segments said the SurveyAgricultural exports increased from 345 billion in FY20 to 511 billion in FY25 registering a CAGR of 82 per centThe country has the potential to reach 100 billion of combined exports of agriculture marine products and food and beverage in the next four years the Survey highlightedThe recently concluded IndiaUK CETA and IndiaOman CEPA and ongoing engagements with the US Chile and Peru underpins Indiaâs diversified trade strategy and supports deeper integration into global value chains it addedMeanwhile services exports touched an alltime high of 3876 billion in FY25 growing by 136 per centThe Survey noted that this growth is also due to the countryâs success as a global hub for Global Capability Centres GCCs which grew at a 7 per cent CAGR from FY20 to FY25 IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-rising-steadily-as-key-player-in-global-trade-says-eco-survey-660076.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-made-notable-gains-in-school-enrolment-higher-education-institutions-says-govt-660103.html New Delhi Jan 29 India has made notable gains in school enrolment and higher education institutions the government stated in the Economic Survey 202526 on Thursday The Survey tabled in the Parliament by the Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman credited the achievement to strengthened infrastructure and teacher capacity due to policies such as the Right to Education Act 2009 and the National Education Policy 2020 NEPOther measures include updated UGC guidelines regulations for academic collaboration and mutual recognition of qualifications and permissions for foreign branch campuses including those in GIFT CityâAchievements in the education space have been marked by enhanced literacy rates increasing enrolment in schools and higher education institutions provision of vocational education avenues etc The Right to Education Act 2009 and the National Education Policy 2020 NEP have played a crucial role in shaping the education landscape by expanding access to quality education universally promoting equity and driving innovation in teaching and learningâ the Survey saidIndia has made notable gains in school enrolment by strengthening infrastructure and teacher capacity with schemes like Poshan Shakti Nirman and Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan promoting access and equityâ it addedThe Gross Enrolment Ratio GER stands at 909 at the primary stage Grades I to V 903 at the upper primary Grade VI to VIII 787 at the secondary stage Grade IX and X and 584 at the higher secondary stage Grade XI and XIIThe Survey also mentioned an increase in the number of higher education institutions HEIs from 51534 in 201415 to 70018 as of June 2025 an increase marked by substantial growth in universities and collegesThe number of premier higher education institutions HEIs has expanded significantly between 201415 and 202425 It now stands at 23 IITs 21 IIMs and 20 AIIMS alongside the establishment of two international IIT campuses in Zanzibar and Abu DhabiThe AllIndia Survey on Higher Education AISHE 202223 Provisional reports an increase in student enrolment from 433 crore in 202122 to 446 crore in 202223âIndias education sectors require unwavering focus to unlock the nations true potential through integrated accountable and adaptive policy frameworks to build a futureready workforceâ it addedThe survey also suggested a holistic lifecycle approach so that the country âraises its Expected Years of Schooling EYS to 15 years set by NEPâs 5334 schooling structure for ages 318The approach encompassing early childhood education foundational literacy and numeracy FLN universal secondary schooling and the seamless integration of vocational and digital skills will help fully convert its vast human resource base into highquality human capital the Survey said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-made-notable-gains-in-school-enrolment-higher-education-institutions-says-govt-660103.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 01:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-own-ai-path-focused-on-development-not-dominance-eco-survey-660107.html New Delhi Jan 29 As government prepares for India AI Impact Summit 2026 the Economic Survey 2025â26 tabled in Parliament on Thursday presents artificial intelligence AI as a practical economic tool rather than a race for technological prestige The Survey explains how AI is reshaping the global economy and lays out a realistic and developmentfocused strategy for India in a time of fast technological change and global uncertaintyâAI adoption in India should be rooted in economic needs and social responsibilityâ it saidâInstead of relying on large centralised systems it supports a bottomup approach where different sectors develop AI solutions suited to their specific problemsâ as per the survey tabled by Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala SitharamanThe Survey highlights the importance of open and interoperable systems that encourage collaboration and shared innovationâThis approach aligns well with Indiaâs strengths including its large pool of skilled workers diverse data and strong institutional networksâ it saidThe Survey notes that Indiaâs growing demand for AI is driven by realworld challenges rather than experimental or luxury technologiesIt points to practical uses of AI in healthcare agriculture education urban planning disaster management and public servicesExamples include early disease detection better water management improved access to markets for farmers classroom performance analysis and AI tools in regional languagesâThese solutions are designed to work on lowcost hardware and in limitedresource settings making them affordable and scalableâ according to the SurveyâSuch applicationfocused AI can lower costs and help overcome longstanding structural issuesâ it addedKeeping in mind Indiaâs realities such as limited capital energy constraints and varying institutional capacity the Survey emphasises that AI choices must support longterm growth and avoid creating new dependenciesIt also recognises that global AI development is uneven with some countries having greater access to computing power finance data and influence over global standardsRather than seeing this as a disadvantage the Survey uses it to shape a more realistic policy direction for India IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-own-ai-path-focused-on-development-not-dominance-eco-survey-660107.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 01:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-internet-user-base-crosses-950-million-in-2025-660110.html New Delhi Jan 29 Indiaâs internet user base crossed the 950 million mark in 2025 driven mainly by rapid growth in rural connectivity rising consumption of short videos and increasing use of artificial intelligence according to a report released by the Internet and Mobile Association of India IAMAI on Thursday The âInternet in India Report 2025â prepared jointly by IAMAI and Kantar said India now has around 958 million active internet users reflecting a yearonyear growth of about 8 per centWith this India continues to remain one of the worldâs largest and fastestgrowing digital marketsThe report was released at the India Digital Summit in the presence of Manjula N Secretary to the Government Department of Electronics ITBT and Science amp Technology Government of KarnatakaA key highlight of the report is the strong role played by rural India in driving internet growth Rural regions now account for nearly 57 per cent of Indiaâs active internet users translating to around 548 million peopleThe report noted that internet adoption in rural India is growing almost four times faster than in urban areas pointing to a major shift in how and where digital usage is expanding in the countryThe study also showed that artificial intelligence has entered the mainstream in IndiaAround 44 per cent of internet users have used AIenabled features such as voice search imagebased search chatbots and AI filtersAI usage is particularly high among younger users with 57 per cent of those aged 15 to 24 years and 52 per cent of users in the 25 to 44 age group reporting use of AI features in the past yearShortvideo content has emerged as another major driver of internet usage In 2025 about 588 million internet users or 61 per cent of the total user base consumed short videosRural users slightly outnumbered urban users in shortvideo consumption with adoption strongest among younger audiences as per the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-internet-user-base-crosses-950-million-in-2025-660110.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 01:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/bangladesh-makes-largest-budget-cuts-to-health-education-sectors-report-660115.html New Delhi Dhaka Jan 29 Bangladeshâs National Economic Council NEC has significantly downsized the health and education sector in the Annual Development Programme ADP according to a media report In the tradition of reviewing the performance of the Annual Development Programme ADP at the midpoint of each fiscal year the NEC downsized the ADP by about 125 per cent to 208935 crore taka 33 per cent of GDP from its original budget allocation of 230000 crore taka 37 per cent of GDP reported The Daily Star a Bangladeshi Englishlanguage dailyIt cited slow spending lower than expected revenue mobilisation slower external fund flow and a shortage of projects as major reasons for the ADP budget cutWhile the health sector saw a 74 per cent reduction from its original allocation of 18148 crore taka secondary and higher education was reduced by 55 per cent from the original allocation of 28557 crore takaâThe slow implementation rates of the two biggest social sectors over the first six months of the current financial year prompted the NEC to cut down their allocation in fear of underutilisation which may improve the overall ADP implementation rate at the end of the yearâ the report saidâWhile this makes immediate sense the underlying causes of historically low ADP implementation of these two sectors should be assessed properly and measures should be taken to ramp up the performance of the two prime social sectors in the country in the futureâ it addedThe substantially reduced allocations for health in the RADP could significantly affect the population with a delay in essential medical treatments for cancer kidney and heart conditions Further the Budget cuts in the education sector could push more children out of schoolThe Revised Annual Development Programme RADP consists of a total of 1330 projects including 1108 investment projects 35 feasibility studies and 121 technical assistance projects Another 66 projects are being implemented by autonomous bodies and corporations using their own funds the report saidNotably the local government division received the highest allocation of 37534 crore taka in the RADP This includes social safety net programmes and other communitybased interventions focusing on poverty alleviation infrastructure development and operation and maintenance in city corporations municipalities and unions the report added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/bangladesh-makes-largest-budget-cuts-to-health-education-sectors-report-660115.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 01:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/there-should-be-no-compromise-on-ethical-use-of-ai-pm-modi-tells-ceos-660133.html New Delhi Jan 29 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told top CEOs and experts working in the field of Artificial Intelligence that there should be no compromise on the ethical use of AI The Prime Minister was interacting with the CEOs in a meeting held at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence in the runup to the IndiaAI Impact Summit in February The session was aimed at fostering strategic collaborations showcasing AI innovations and accelerating Indiaâs AI mission goalsPM Modi highlighted the importance of data security and the democratisation of technology He said that there should be no compromise on the ethical use of AI and emphasised the need to ensure an ecosystem which is transparent impartial and secure Indiaâs AI ecosystem should reflect the character and values of the nation he addedThe highlevel roundtable saw participation from CEOs of companies working in AI including Wipro TCS HCL Tech Zoho Corporation LTI Mindtree Jio Platforms Ltd AdaniConnex Nxtra Data and Netweb Technologies along with experts from IIIT Hyderabad IIT Madras and IIT Bombay Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada also participated in the interactionDuring the interaction the CEOs expressed strong support towards the goal of becoming selfsufficient in AI technology They also acknowledged the efforts and resources the government is putting to put India as a leader in AI on the global stageThe Prime Minister emphasised the need to embrace new technology in all spheres and use it to contribute to national growth He also urged the use of indigenous technology across key sectorsWhile speaking about the upcoming AI Impact Summit he highlighted that all individuals and companies should leverage the summit to explore new opportunities and leapfrog on the growth path He also stated that through Unified Payments Interface UPI India has demonstrated its technical prowess and this can be replicated in the field of AI as wellThe Prime Minister highlighted that India has a unique proposition of scale diversity and democracy due to which the world trusts Indiaâs digital infrastructure In line with his vision of âAI for Allâ he stated that we need to create an impact with our technology as well as inspire the world He also urged the CEOs and experts to make India a fertile destination for all global AI efforts IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/there-should-be-no-compromise-on-ethical-use-of-ai-pm-modi-tells-ceos-660133.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 01:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/innovation-reforms-key-to-lifting-indias-productivity-imf-660159.html Washington Jan 29 Strengthening innovation and easing business barriers could sharply raise Indiaâs productivity growth and support its goal of becoming an advanced economy according to a new analysis by the International Monetary Fund Indiaâs productivity growth over the past two decades has been strong according to an IMF report authored by Harald Finger the IMFâs mission chief for India and Nujin Suphaphiphat a senior economist in the Fundâs Asia and Pacific DepartmentThe Fundâs 2025 Article IV analysis shows that better support for innovation including removing constraints that hold back firms could lift Indiaâs productivity growth rate by nearly 40 per cent The gain would be equivalent to adding the output of Karnataka the countryâs fourthlargest state by output to the economy every decadeProductivity trends vary widely across sectors Services have delivered substantial gains helped see the adoption of digital technology and closer integration with global value chains Manufacturing has seen only modest productivity growth Agriculture remains far less productive even though it still employs more than 40 per cent of the workforceThe gap between sectors is significant An additional worker in services produces more than four times the output of a worker in agriculture with the same level of education The IMF says this highlights the significant potential gains from shifting labour and activity to higherproductivity sectorsA key reason manufacturing lags is the dominance of tiny firms Nearly threequarters of factories employ fewer than five paid workers That is almost double the share in the United States The smallest enterprises produce less than 20 per cent of the output per worker of large firms compared with nearly 45 per cent in the United StatesMany of these firms remain small for decades Complex compliance rules rigid labour regulations and product market restrictions discourage growth Easing these constraints would help firms expand and lift productivity The IMF notes that Indiaâs recent announcement to implement new labour codes could help set the stage for further reformsLow business dynamism is another drag on productivity Rates of new firm creation as well as firm closures and exits are far lower than in economies such as Korea Chile or the United States Limited entry and exit weaken competition and slow the movement of capital and labour toward more productive firmsThe analysis also points to a sizable share of zombie firms These firms do not earn enough to cover borrowing costs but continue to absorb resources Firm entry and exit currently have only a small effect on productivity in India The IMF says this underscores the need for a more dynamic business environment where unproductive firms can wind down and innovative firms can growInnovation remains constrained India invests less in research and development than the average emerging market economy in the Group of Twenty Few firms engage in RampD and the adoption of foreign technology is limited Larger firms innovate more while smaller firms face barriers to scaling upThe IMF estimates that raising Indiaâs innovation indicators including business sophistication and creative outputs to the 90th percentile among emerging markets could boost productivity growth by nearly 06 percentage points That would amount to almost a 40 per cent increase relative to Indiaâs longterm average IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/innovation-reforms-key-to-lifting-indias-productivity-imf-660159.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 02:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/industrial-output-growth-slows-to-5-year-low-in-s-korea-in-2025-660199.html Seoul Jan 30 South Koreas industrial output grew at the slowest pace in five years in 2025 despite strong growth in the semiconductor industry while retail sales and facility investment showed signs of improvement government data showed on Friday Industrial output gained 05 percent from a year earlier in 2025 slowing from a 15 percent increase the previous year according to the data from the Ministry of Statistics and Data reports Yonhap news agencyThe 2025 figure marks the weakest growth since 2020 when output contracted amid the fallout from the COVID19 pandemicThe output of the mining and manufacturing sector considered the backbone of the economy gained 16 percent in 2025 the ministry saidNotably chip output surged 132 percent onyear as global demand continued to rise amid the artificial intelligence AI boomSemiconductors strongly drove growth in 2025 Lee Doowon a ministry official told reporters We saw a virtuous cycle with expanded investment in semiconductor facilities and equipmentRetail sales a key indicator of private spending also rose 05 percent from a year earlier rebounding from a decline the previous yearAfter three consecutive years of shrinking consumption private spending turned positive for the first time in four yearsThe growth was particularly strong in the third quarter of 2025 fueled by the governments cash handouts known as consumption coupons the ministry saidThe rise was led by higher sales of durable goods such as passenger vehicles which jumped 45 percent onyear the data showedSales of semidurable goods such as clothing fell 22 percent while sales of nondurable goods including cosmetics slipped 03 percentFacility investment advanced 17 percent onyear in 2025 extending gains for a second straight year supported by strong demand for transportation equipment and chiprelated machinery according to the dataConstruction investment weakened with construction orders falling 162 percent from a year earlier the data showedIn December alone industrial output rose 15 percent from the previous month driven by strong demand for semiconductors and automobilesRetail sales increased 09 percent onmonth rebounding from a decline in November supported by higher sales of clothing food and beveragesIn contrast facility investment fell 36 percent largely due to a 161 percent decline in transport equipment including ships and aircraft IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/industrial-output-growth-slows-to-5-year-low-in-s-korea-in-2025-660199.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 09:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/s-korea-launches-nanosatellite-for-satellite-constellation-project-660219.html Seoul Jan 30 A South Korean nanosatellite was launched into orbit on Friday as part of the nations project to create a satellite constellation for Earth observation by 2027 according to the Korea AeroSpace Administration KASA The NEONSAT1A an Earth observation satellite lifted off aboard the Electron rocket of US space company Rocket Lab from the firms Mahia Launch Complex in New Zealand Yonhap news agency reportedLIFTOFF Electron is on its way to orbit with the NEONSAT1A satellite Rocket Lab posted on social media platform XDeveloped by the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology KAIST the satellite was the second among a total of 11 nanosatellites to form a satellite constellation aimed at monitoring and taking images of the Korean Peninsula and its surrounding regionsPreviously just one satellite in the program had reached low Earth orbit â NEONSAT1 which flew atop an Electron in April 2024NEONSAT1A is an advanced Earth observation satellite equipped with a highresolution optical camera It is however not a satellite constellation yetDesigned to capture nearrealtime natural disaster monitoring for the Korean peninsula KAISTâs NEONSAT constellation is a collaboration across multiple Korean academic industry and research institutions including SaTReC which is leading the programmeâs system design and engineering as per Rocket LabThe NEONSAT programme is funded by the Korean governmentâs Ministry of Science and ICT MSITThis was Rocket Labs second launch of 2026 and its 81st overall to dateThe company launched 21 missions last year setting a new record for Rocket LabMISSION SUCCESS Payload deployment is confirmed for the âBridging The Swarmâ mission for KAIST Rocket Lab posted on XThis is the second launch in eight days and the 81st launch in total with 100 per cent mission success in 2026 the USbased company added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/s-korea-launches-nanosatellite-for-satellite-constellation-project-660219.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 12:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/jcra-assigns-landmark-ratings-to-adani-ports-adani-green-and-adani-energy-solutions-660221.html Ahmedabad Jan 30 In a significant milestone for the Adani Groupâs global credit journey Japan Credit Rating Agency JCRA has initiated ratings of three Portfolio companies â Adani Ports and SEZ APSEZ Adani Green Energy Ltd AGEL and Adani Energy Solutions Ltd AESL â assigning longterm foreign currency credit ratings with a âStableâ outlook to all three companies it was announced on Friday Japanâs leading rating agency assigned Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd APSEZ a A Stable rating representing a rare breach of the sovereign threshold by an Indian corporate by an international rating agencyMoreover Adani Green Energy Ltd AGEL and Adani Energy Solutions Ltd AESL have each been rated BBB Stable These ratings are at par with Indiaâs sovereign rating of BBBâThese landmark ratings reflect the Adani Groupâs commitment to disciplined financial management strengthening balance sheet fundamentals and worldclass execution across our diversified infrastructure platformâ said Jugeshinder Singh Group CFO Adani GroupâThey reaffirm the depth and resilience of our business model and reflect the confidence global lenders institutional investors and capital markets place in our longterm strategy This endorsement further strengthens our position as a leading partner in Indiaâs infrastructure buildout and reinforces our commitment to delivering sustainable highquality growthâ Singh addedAdani Portsâ strong rating underlines its strong credit profile diversified asset base and resilient cashflow generation and places it among a select group of Indian infrastructure companies to achieve an abovesovereign rating from a leading international rating agencyThe ratings also mark one of the first instances of Indian infrastructure platforms being assessed by JCRA at these levels highlighting the Adani Groupâs growing engagement with global rating agencies and its increasing alignment with international credit benchmarksAPSEZâs creditworthiness is at par with its subsidiary group said the ratings agency citing its superior infrastructure capabilities consistently strong profitability stable longterm cash flows and prudent financial management â positioning the company above Indiaâs sovereign foreigncurrency rating though capped by the country ceilingIt continues to reinforce its leadership through a diversified portfolio of 15 domestic and 4 international ports handling nearly 30 per cent of Indiaâs cargo and 50 per cent of container volumes supported by a comprehensive foursegment integrated logistics platform spanning ports SEZs logistics and marine servicesAdani Ports delivered rapid EBITDA expansion â from Rs 7566 crore in FY20 to Rs 19025 crore in FY25 and Rs 11046 crore in H1 FY26 â while maintaining a conservative 18x netdebttoEBITDA longtenor funding structure and strong liquidity positionOn the other hand AESL continues to strengthen Indiaâs energy backbone through rapid expansion in transmission distribution smart metering and cooling solutions â backed by stable regulated cash flows and strong governance that support its consolidated credit profile said the ratings agencyâWith a fastgrowing network of 26705 ckm of transmission lines 97236 MVA capacity awardwinning distribution reliability and a rapidly expanding 737 millionmeter smart metering portfolio AESL is delivering far superior growth to the sector and redefining benchmarks in efficiency customer service and operational performanceâ it notedWith over 167 GW of operational capacity as of September 2025 and more than 90 per cent of EBITDA generated from renewables AGEL has rapidly expanded from just 25 GW in FY20 â supported by bestinclass development superior plant load factors cost efficiency and advanced ENOCdriven operationsâEBITDA growth from Rs 1855 crore FY20 to Rs 10532 crore FY25 and Rs 6324 crore in H1 FY26 coupled with improved equity levels diversified global funding access and extended 94year average debt maturity positions AGEL to sustain its ambitious growth pipeline while maintaining financial stabilityâ said JCRA IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/jcra-assigns-landmark-ratings-to-adani-ports-adani-green-and-adani-energy-solutions-660221.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 12:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/free-diagnosis-treatment-ensuringaleprosy-free-india-govt-660223.html New Delhi Jan 30 Free diagnosis and multidrug treatment at public health hospitals is ensuring that India remains leprosyfree said the government on Friday National Leprosy Day in India is observed annually on January 30 coinciding with the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi to honour his work with those affected by the diseaseâUnder the National Leprosy Eradication Programme NLEP India continues its efforts towards a LeprosyFree India ensuring free diagnosis treatment and care services at government health facilities nationwideâ the Health Ministry posted on social media platform XâLet us work together to eliminate stigma and ensure dignity and care for allâ it addedLeprosy also known as Hansen disease is a chronic infectious disease caused mainly by a type of bacteria called Mycobacterium leprae The disease affects the skin the peripheral nerves the mucosa of the upper respiratory tract and the eyesApart from the physical deformity persons affected by leprosy also face stigmatisation and discrimination However leprosy is curable and treatment in the early stages can prevent disabilityIndia achieved the official elimination of leprosy as a public health problem less than 1 case per 10000 population nationally in December 2005As of March 2025 31 statesUTs and 638 districts have achieved this with a prevalence rate of 057 per 10000The NLEP now targets Zero Transmission Zero Leprosy by 2027 through early detection free multidrug therapy MDT and stigma reductionUnder the NLEP the government provides services such as free diagnosis and treatment MDT at all government health facilities microcellular rubber footwears for patients free assistive devices for leprosy patients selfcare kits for patients with ulcers and reconstructive surgery for Grade 2 deformities with a welfare allowance of Rs 12000All services under NLEP are available free of cost at all government health facilitiesIf left untreated leprosy may cause progressive and permanent disabilities The bacteria are transmitted via droplets from the nose and mouth during close and frequent contact with untreated casesLeprosy is also a neglected tropical disease NTD which occurs in more than 120 countries with around 200000 new cases reported every year IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/free-diagnosis-treatment-ensuringaleprosy-free-india-govt-660223.html Fri, 30 Jan 2026 12:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/skoreas-science-ministry-unveils-road-map-for-quantum-industry-660045.html Seoul Jan 29 South Koreas science ministry on Thursday unveiled the road map to foster the quantum industry aiming to become the worlds top quantum chip producer by 2035 The Ministry of Science and ICT stated that the plan includes fostering 10000 experts in the field and nurturing 2000 businesses to secure homegrown quantum technologies that can deliver industrial breakthroughs by building advancements in the artificial intelligence AI sector Yonhap news agency reportedThe government will designate five locations by July to establish what it calls quantum clusters that will lead the countrys quantum transformation the ministry addedQuantum technology is a formidable innovation that will determine a nations competitiveness in the postAI era Science Minister Bae Kyunghoon said in a releaseThe government will mobilize all national capabilities across industry academia research institutions and the public sector to help South Korea emerge as a global hub for quantum technology and industry through the comprehensive plan and the cluster blueprint he addedThe science ministry also inked a memorandum of understanding with USbased quantum computing firm IonQ centered on the American company establishing a joint research center in South Korea and investing US15 million over the next three yearsMajor South Korean firms including Samsung Electronics LG Electronics and SK Telecom Co additionally launched a quantum technology consultative body to discuss cooperation the ministry saidEarlier this month the ministry said it will invest 56 billion on research and development in science and information and communications technology in 2026The budget up 254 per cent from a year earlier consists of 644 trillion won for science and technology and 168 trillion won for ICT according to the Ministry of Science and ICTThe ministry said the expanded spending is intended to promote innovationled growth amid global economic uncertainty and prolonged low growth while advancing South Koreas push to become one of the worlds top three artificial intelligence powersIn the science and technology sector the government will increase spending in future technologies such as biotechnology and quantum science while strengthening core technologies to secure a competitive edge in key industries including semiconductors and secondary batteries it said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/skoreas-science-ministry-unveils-road-map-for-quantum-industry-660045.html Thu, 29 Jan 2026 23:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/iit-guwahati-develops-method-tomonitorglacial-hazardsin-eastern-himalayas-659886.html Guwahati Jan 27 Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology IIT Guwahati have developed a predictive framework that has identified 492 locations where glacial lakes are likely to form in the Eastern Himalayan mountains The research conducted using highresolution Google Earth images and digital elevation models also provides crucial insights for hazard management and waterresource planning in highmountain regionsThe models helped capture complex landscape features and estimate uncertainty in the predictions making the forecasts more realistic and reliableWith the developed framework the research team identified 492 locations in the Eastern Himalaya where new glacial lakes are likely to form thereby indicating areas that require careful monitoring and preventive measuresâBy pinpointing highrisk areas the framework can guide earlywarning systems for Glacial Lake Outburst Floods GLOFs help plan safer locations for roads hydropower projects and settlements and support longterm waterresource management It offers a practical tool for reducing risks to communities and infrastructure in the Himalayasâ said Prof Ajay Dashora Assistant Professor Department of Civil Engineering IIT GuwahatiâBeyond hazard management the method can help understand how water systems may change as glaciers continue to retreat Importantly the framework is adaptable to other glaciated mountain regions around the world making it a valuable tool for climateresilient planning and disasterrisk reduction globallyâ Dashora addedThe findings published in Natureâs Scientific Reports journal confirm that the shape and structure of the land often overlooked in previous studies can play a central role in where and how a glacial lake may appearIn the development process the research team tested three predictive methods including Logistic Regression LR Artificial Neural Network ANN and Bayesian Neural Network BNNAmong these the research team found the Bayesian Neural Network BNN to be the most accurate and showed that certain earth features such as neighbouring lakes cirques gentle slopes and retreating glaciers are the strongest predictors of glacial lake formationThe team now plans to integrate moraine development histories automate data preparation and add fieldbased validation to the developed frameworkThese improvements will enhance the modelâs accuracy and broaden its use for largescale monitoring of glacial hazards IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/iit-guwahati-develops-method-tomonitorglacial-hazardsin-eastern-himalayas-659886.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/budget-2026-expertscallfor-tax-funded-universal-health-care-enhancing-public-hospitals-659897.html New Delhi Jan 27 Health experts on Tuesday urged the government to introduce taxfunded Universal Health Care and boost resources at government hospitals in the upcoming Union Budget 2026 The experts also highlighted the lack of funds to in public health care institutions to deliver adequate services to a large number of patients and stressed the need to expand PMJAY to include outpatient careâWe advocate taxfunded Universal Health Care with a basic health package for all citizens and to increase public health allocation to 255 per cent of GDP strengthening government hospitals and human resourcesâ said Dr Vinay Aggarwal past National President Indian Medical AssociationâThe government should reform PMJAY to include outpatient care realistic package rates DBT copayments and timely reimbursementsâ he addedThe expert also urged the government âto provide GST exemption on lifesaving equipment consumables and all vaccinesA recent report by The Lancet Commission stressed that the public sector healthcare system is the backbone for achieving the universal health coverage goal An accompanying Comment paper examined Indiaâs progress towards universal health coverage and highlights structural weaknesses in the health systemIt particularly highlighted fragmented governance poor coordination across levels of care health services organised around institutions rather than citizens and persistent gaps in quality equity and continuity of care as major barriers to UHCThe paper suggested that Indiaâs path to universal health care requires multiple programmes and noted that operating in silos can weaken accountability and service continuityHealthcare delivery must remain facilitycentred rather than focused on patient journeys and longterm care needs It also mentioned that weak referral systems and poor integration between primary secondary and tertiary services limit efficiency and outcomesThe study stressed that policy intent alone is insufficient without institutional capacity to execute reformsâWhile over the last few years the government has increased the allocation for healthcare in its budget the continued prioritisation on capacity building has often left public healthcare facilities with insufficient funds to deliver adequate services to the large number of patients that they serveâ said Aditya Banerjee Member at Medical Technology Association of India MTaIâA deliberate shift in the public procurement criteria from the lowest upfront price to the best longâterm value for the overall healthcare system is essential for delivering better patient outcomes for every Rupee spentâ he added Banerjee said that it will help avoid the spiralling healthcare budgets that today is becoming unsustainable in many developed economies of the world IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/budget-2026-expertscallfor-tax-funded-universal-health-care-enhancing-public-hospitals-659897.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/unprecedented-preferential-access-for-indian-exports-in-eu-fta-a-game-changer-industry-659913.html New Delhi Jan 27 The unprecedented preferential access secured for over 99 per cent of Indian exports is a gamechanger for Indian industry the Confederation of Indian Industry CII said on Tuesday With the IndiaEU deal Rs 641 lakh crore 75 billion worth exports are poised for takeoff with 33 billion of exports in labourintensive sectors like textiles leather marine products gems and jewellery are set to gain immensely from preferential access under the FTAAccording to Chandrajit Banerjee Director General CII the landmark agreement represents a strategic breakthrough in Indiaâs global trade engagement and significantly deepens the partnership between two major democracies and economies that together account for nearly 25 per cent of global GDPâIt decisively improves competitiveness in the EUâs highvalue market anchors Indian manufacturers and service providers deeper into global value chains and accelerates investment technology inflows and scaleâ Banerjee saidâKey sectors of focus include textiles and apparel leather and footwear gems and jewellery marine products engineering goods automobiles agriculture and processed foods IT and ITenabled services and other business and professional servicesâ he addedBy delivering tangible gains for labourintensive sectors and MSMEs and by enabling a futureready mobility framework for Indian talent the agreement lays a foundation for sustained inclusive and globally competitive growth which is fully aligned with Indiaâs vision of Viksit Bharat at 2047 said CIIBalbir Singh Dhillon Brand Director Audi India welcomed the proposed FTA recognising its potential to deepen economic ties with one of the worldâs largest trading blocsâThis constructive approach to trade could support the broader automotive ecosystem including innovation supplychain efficiency and technology collaboration That said any implications for pricing and market can only be assessed once the final terms are available and carefully reviewed including the timeframe of implementation Until then it would be premature to draw conclusions on specific commercial or product strategiesâ he mentionedDhillon said the IndiaEU FTA will create a stable and predictable environment for European automakers to invest innovate and better serve Customers in IndiaThe FTA brings tariffs on European cars entering India to 10 per cent from the current high level of 110 per cent This lower duty will apply under an annual quota of 250000 vehicles At present India charges a 70 per cent duty on imported passenger cars priced below 40000 while vehicles costing more than 40000 attract an effective customs duty of 110 per centThe move opens up new opportunities for European carmakers in the Indian market which is currently the worldâs thirdlargest by sales IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/unprecedented-preferential-access-for-indian-exports-in-eu-fta-a-game-changer-industry-659913.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-eu-fta-now-opens-entire-european-market-for-indian-exporters-fieo-659915.html New Delhi Jan 27 The IndiaEU free trade agreement FTA together with the governmentâs recent FTAs with the UK and the European Free Trade Association EFTA effectively opens the entire European market for Indian exporters marking a strategic breakthrough in Indiaâs trade diplomacy the Federation of Indian Export Organisations FIEO said on Tuesday The EU agreement comprehensively covers trade in goods and services rules of origin customs facilitation trade remedies and emerging areas such as digital trade and MSMEsIt includes robust mechanisms to address nontariff barriers â an outcome of the Governmentâs proactive engagement with EU regulators â through enhanced regulatory cooperation transparent SPS measures and streamlined customs proceduresâThe calibrated and quotabased liberalisation in the automobile sector will allow EU manufacturers to introduce advanced models in India while creating future opportunities aligned with the Governmentâs âMake in Indiaâ and âAtmanirbhar Bharatâ initiativesâ said SC Ralhan President FIEOThe European Union is among Indiaâs largest trading partners In FY 2024â25 IndiaâEU bilateral trade in goods stood at Rs 115 lakh crore 13654 billion with exports of Rs 64 lakh crore 7585 billion and imports of Rs 51 lakh crore 6068 billion Trade in services reached Rs 72 lakh crore 8310 billionRalhan stated that the successful conclusion of the IndiaEU FTA will significantly enhance Indiaâs export competitiveness and provide a powerful thrust to Indiaâs engagement with global value chainsThis agreement opens unprecedented market access for Indian exporters across goods and services particularly empowering labourintensive sectors MSMEs women entrepreneurs artisans and youthâcore focus areas of the Governmentâs inclusive growth agendaWith tariff elimination of up to 10 per cent on nearly 33 billion worth of Indian exports the FTA will provide immediate and tangible gains to key sectors such as textiles apparel leather footwear gems and jewellery engineering goods marine products handicrafts and automobilesThese benefits will translate into higher exports largescale employment generation and stronger grassroots participation in global trade reinforcing the Governmentâs vision of exportled prosperityThe Indian consumers are expected to benefit from improved access to hightechnology products and increased competition Agriculture and processed food exports will receive a major boost with enhanced market access for tea coffee spices fruits vegetables and processed foods while the Government has prudently safeguarded sensitive sectors such as dairy and cereals ensuring farmer interests remain fully protected IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-eu-fta-now-opens-entire-european-market-for-indian-exporters-fieo-659915.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-energy-week-highlights-energy-addition-balanced-investment-across-verticals-659922.html New Delhi Jan 27 Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday said that the global energy transition is fundamentally about âenergy additionâ rather than replacement Addressing the India Energy Week in Goa Puri stressed the need for sustained investment across oil gas biofuels green hydrogen LNG and clean cooking fuels according to a statement from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural GasGoa the host state of the summit showcased a longâterm roadmap to achieve 100 per cent renewable energy by 2050Puri outlined Indias reforms in the sector including opening large sedimentary basins for exploration successive Open Acreage Licensing Policy and Discovered Small Fields DSF bidding rounds to attract global investorsSultan Ahmed Al Jaber Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology of the United Arab Emirates and Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNOC stressed that underinvestment is the greatest risk to the global energy system and called for balanced investment across all energy forms to ensure security and affordability the statement saidAl Jaber underlined that global energy demand is entering a phase of transformation at scale which is driven by emerging markets digitalisation and the integration of diverse energy systemsThe minister noted that India Energy Week has rapidly evolved into a trusted global forum bringing together policymakers producers consumers technology providers and investors to navigate a period of unprecedented transition and volatility in the global energy systemIndia Energy Week is the countryâs flagship global energy platform bringing together government leaders industry executives and innovators to accelerate progress toward a secure sustainable and affordable energy futurePuri highlighted that Indiaâs rapid expansion of LPG coverage clean cooking access and diversified energy mix reflects the countryâs commitment to inclusive growth and equitable energy accessA highlevel Ministerial Panel at the event saw senior policymakers discuss the need for pragmatic policies sustained investment and stronger international partnerships to navigate global energy volatilityHighlighting Indiaâs ambition to increase the share of natural gas in its energy mix Puri stressed the importance of global collaboration investment and realistic transition pathwaysCanadaâs Minister of Energy and Natural Resources HE Tim Hodgson expressed a strong interest in deepening cooperation with India particularly in the areas of LNG critical minerals oil supplies and longterm energy trade IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-energy-week-highlights-energy-addition-balanced-investment-across-verticals-659922.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-eu-fta-to-unlock-up-to-45-billion-export-potential-for-indias-rmg-sector-659925.html New Delhi Jan 27 India is expected to gradually increase its market share from 5 per cent to 89 per cent in the EUâs readymade garment RMG imports unlocking an incremental annual export opportunity of nearly 445 billion over the medium term a report showed on Tuesday The European Union EU is the worldâs largest RMG market with imports of nearly 84 billion excluding trade among EU countries in 2024 according to the report by CareEdge RatingsIndia currently exports 455 billion of RMG to the EU holding 5 per cent share of the EUâs RMG market Unlike India key competitors such as Bangladesh Turkey Vietnam Pakistan and Cambodia enjoy dutyfree accessâThe IndiaEU FTA is therefore critical to improve competitiveness of Indian RMG exporters The agreement is called the âMother of All Trade Dealsâ because it creates a level playing field for accessing the EUâs RMG market which is likely to reach 105 billion shortly already at 94 billion in 11 months of CY25â the report notedOnce fully implemented by 2027 India will gain a 12 per cent duty advantage over China which currently holds the largest market share of nearly 30 per cent in the EUâs RMG imports said the reportChina is expected to lose its share in the EUâs RMG market due to the âChina Plus Oneâ sourcing strategy adopted by global apparel brands and retailersâAdditionally sociopolitical uncertainties in Bangladesh may also lead apparel brands and retailers with a significant presence in the country to diversify their sourcing thereby benefiting India among othersâ the report mentionedTo fully capitalise on this potential Indian manufacturers must expand their capacities to meet the expected surge in demandIndiaâs increased competitiveness postduty removal and continued favourable policy regimes in India such as removal of Quality Control Order QCO on polyester yarn the PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel PM MITRA park and the Production Linked Incentive PLI scheme is expected to aid the sector in becoming more cost competitive and thereby grab these additional export opportunities said the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-eu-fta-to-unlock-up-to-45-billion-export-potential-for-indias-rmg-sector-659925.html Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/chinese-scientistsidentifykey-ebola-virus-mutation-659849.html Beijing Jan 27 Chinese researchers have unveiled a crucial mutation in the Ebola virus that significantly enhanced its infectivity during a major outbreak providing new insights for epidemic surveillance and drug development The study published in the journal Cell focused on the Ebola virus disease EVD outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo DRC from 2018 to 2020 the secondlargest in history which caused over 3000 infections and more than 2000 deaths Xinhua news agency reportedThe research tells us that during major emerging infectious disease outbreaks realtime genomic surveillance and evolutionary analysis of the pathogen are crucial said Professor Qian Jun from Sun Yatsen UniversityThis is not only able to warn of changes in transmission risk but also to prospectively assess the effectiveness of existing drugs and vaccines guiding us to preemptively adjust control strategies Jun addedA key question drove the research namely beyond the impact of local healthcare challenges did viral evolution itself contribute to the Ebola outbreaks prolonged durationWe have long been aware that key viral mutations often act as invisible drivers accelerating transmission during major outbreaks Having worked on Ebola for over a decade we had to investigate whether similar patterns of mutation existed for this virus said Jun explaining the teams motivationIn 2022 the team analysed 480 complete Ebola virus genomes and discovered that a variant carrying a specific mutation in the viral glycoprotein named GPV75A had emerged early in the DRC epidemicThis variant rapidly replaced the original strain and its rising prevalence closely mirrored the surge in case numbers suggesting it might confer a transmission advantage according to the research teamSubsequent experiments using various models confirmed the mutations biological impact It showed that GPV75A had significantly enhanced the viruss ability to infect multiple types of host cells and miceFurthermore this study revealed a potential clinical concern notably that the GPV75A mutation had diminished the antiviral effectiveness of some existing therapeutic antibodies and smallmolecule entry inhibitors indicating a possible risk of drug resistanceThese findings underscore the importance of continuous viral genome monitoring during outbreaks to anticipate evolutionary threats and inform the development of broadspectrum countermeasures the research team said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/chinese-scientistsidentifykey-ebola-virus-mutation-659849.html Tue, 27 Jan 2026 11:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/embraer-adani-defence-amp-aerospace-to-develop-regional-transport-aircraft-ecosystem-in-india-659853.html New Delhi Jan 27 With an aim to collaborate on opportunities in aircraft manufacturing supply chain aftermarket services and pilot training global aerospace leader Embraer and Adani Defence amp Aerospace on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding MoU to develop an integrated regional transport aircraft ecosystem in India With this collaboration the companies aim to establish an assembly line followed by a phased increase in indigenisation to advance Indiaâs Regional Transport Aircraft RTA programme in alignment with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and the UDAN regional connectivity visionâIndia is a pivotal market for Embraer and this partnership combines our aerospace expertise with Adaniâs strong industrial capabilities and commitment to indigenisationâ said Arjan Meijer President and CEO Embraer Commercial AviationTogether we will evaluate the most viable advanced and efficient solutions in support of Indiaâs RTA ambitions and their potential for implementation Meijer addedThe potential partnership will leverage Embraerâs deep engineering and aircraft manufacturing expertise alongside Adaniâs aviation valuechain footprint that includes airport infrastructure aerospace manufacturing MRO services and pilot trainingâRegional aviation is the backbone of economic expansion With initiatives like UDAN transforming air connectivity across Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities the need for an indigenous regional aviation ecosystem has become criticalâ said Jeet Adani Director Adani Defence amp AerospaceâThis partnership will also strengthen strategic relations between India and Brazil bringing complementary capabilities togetherâ he mentionedEmbraer has a growing footprint and long history in India with nearly 50 Embraer aircraft and 11 aircraft types currently operating across commercial defence and business aviationThe proposed ecosystem is geared towards supporting domestic demand while generating significant direct and indirect employment across engineering manufacturing logistics and support servicesâWe are shaping Indiaâs regional transport aircraft ecosystem a bold stride toward Aatmanirbhar aviation that bridges urbanrural divides generates highskill employment and elevates Indiaâs position in the global aerospace industryâ said Ashish Rajvanshi President and CEO Adani Defence amp AerospaceAdani Defence amp Aerospace is Indiaâs largest integrated private defence and aerospace player building critical capabilities across domains and advancing indigenous aerospace and UAV manufacturing aligned with national security priorities and global requirementsWith the countryâs largest MRO ecosystem and a rapidly scaling pilot training platform Adani Defence is strengthening Indiaâs aviation value chain end to end Its diversified portfolio spans aircraft unmanned systems avionics weapons and sustainment anchored in longterm capability development and the pursuit of national selfreliance IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/embraer-adani-defence-amp-aerospace-to-develop-regional-transport-aircraft-ecosystem-in-india-659853.html Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/howrealmeis-shaping-future-of-comfortable-listening-withbuds-clip-659854.html New Delhi Jan 27 Wireless audio has become a constant companion in everyday life with earbuds now used across work calls entertainment fitness travel and casual listening As daily usage hours continue to rise the focus on personal audio is gradually expanding beyond sound quality alone to include comfort longterm wear and overall ear health and wellnessConsumers today are increasingly aware of how devices feel over extended periods especially since earbuds are worn continuously throughout the day rather than in short listening burstsEar health specialists and audio researchers often point out that the ear is a sensitive and naturally balanced environment Comfort during long listening sessions depends not just on fit but also on airflow pressure and how the ear interacts with a device over timeListening formats that reduce continuous contact inside the ear canal can feel more breathable and relaxed for some users particularly those who spend several hours a day on calls or music This has led to growing interest in openear and earclip style audio which offers a different way to experience sound without sitting inside the earEarclip earbuds approach this by resting along the outer ears rather than sitting inside the ear canal By keeping the ear open they allow natural airflow to continue while still delivering sound clearlyThis design can feel lighter during long sessions and supports a more breathable wearing experience particularly for users who prefer earbuds that feel unobtrusive throughout the day Because the ear remains open earclip designs can also suit situations where awareness of surroundings is important such as walking commuting or working in shared environmentsThis is where realme brings a thoughtful addition to its audio range with Buds Clip created to support different listening preferences and daily routines realme Buds Clip are shaped to follow the natural curves of the outer ear helping them stay in place comfortably without relying on pressure inside the ear The result is a natural wearing experience that remains comfortable even during extended use making them suitable for long workdays travel or continuous media consumptionThe lightweight 53g build plays an important role in longterm comfort Lighter earbuds place less strain on the ear which can help reduce tiredness over timeThe use of titaniumbased memory metal allows the structure to gently adapt to different ear shapes while remaining strong and reliable This flexibility helps the earbuds stay secure during movement while maintaining a soft pressurefree feel that supports allday wearSound performance has been tuned specifically for an openear listening experience realme Buds Clip feature a large dualdriver setup supported by AIbased sound tuning that balances bass vocals and claritySpatial audio adds depth and dimension creating an immersive experience while maintaining a natural and open feel This approach allows users to enjoy engaging sound without isolating the ear aligning well with longer listening sessions and everyday comfortrealme Buds Clip also reflects the brandâs broader philosophy of introducing meaningful innovation through thoughtful design Rather than replacing existing earbud styles the clipstyle format adds another option to realmeâs growing audio lineup catering to different listening preferences and evolving habitsThe minimalist easytowear form factor is designed to blend seamlessly into daily life from commuting and working to casual listening and leisureThe upcoming launch further reinforces realmeâs wider ecosystem vision as the brand continues to build a diverse range of smart connected audio and AIoT products tailored to young consumers and modern usage patternsAs audio consumption becomes increasingly woven into everyday routines realme Buds Clip represent an effort to offer users greater choice in how they experience soundWith the launch expected soon realme is set to bring clipstyle audio to a wider audience aligning comfort usability and everyday practicality with the way people listen today IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/howrealmeis-shaping-future-of-comfortable-listening-withbuds-clip-659854.html Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/plastics-emissionstodoublehealth-risks-worldwideby-2040-study-659858.html New Delhi Jan 27 Emissions from the global plastics system greenhouse gases airpolluting particles and toxic chemicals released particularly from plastics production processes could double health risks by 2040 if no meaningful action is taken to change current practices according to a study on Tuesday The research published in The Lancet Planetary Health journal identified health harms at every stage of the lifecycle of the plastics from the extraction of fossil fuels the feedstocks for more than 90 per cent of plastics and material production to their eventual disposal or release to the environmentThe modellingbased study compared the global human health impacts of several different future scenarios for plastics consumption and waste management between 2016 and 2040Under a âbusiness as usualâ scenario by 2040 the negative health impacts from plastics could double with greenhouse gas emissions and associated rising global temperatures accounting for 40 per cent of the health harmsAir pollution predominantly from plastics production processes would account for 32 per cent and the impact of toxic chemicals released to the environment across plastics life cycles would account for 27 per centThe remaining health harms less than 1 per cent relate to reduced availability of water impacts on the ozone layer and increased ionising radiation the researchers saidWe found that emissions throughout plastics lifecycles contributed to human health burdens of global warming air pollution toxicityrelated cancers and noncommunicable diseases with the greatest harms from primary plastics production and open burning Megan Deeney from the London SchoolThe model found that if the plastics system continues with no change to policy economics infrastructure materials or consumer behaviours annual health impacts could more than double from 21 million healthy years of life lost in 2016 to 45 million healthy years of life lost in 2040Overall the study estimates that the global plastics system could be responsible for cutting 83 million years of healthy population life between 2016 and 2040The study also predicted little impact from improving plastic waste collection and recycling alone But together with improvements to waste collection and recycling substituting or reusing materials health impacts linked to plastic emissions showed a reductionTo effectively reduce plastic emissions and their impact on health policymakers must better regulate and significantly reduce the production of new plastics for nonessential uses the team said IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/plastics-emissionstodoublehealth-risks-worldwideby-2040-study-659858.html Tue, 27 Jan 2026 12:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/union-ministers-take-firm-resolve-to-build-strong-and-inclusive-viksit-bharat-659715.html New Delhi Jan 26 Several Union Ministers on Monday took firm resolve to build a strong prosperous and developed India Viksit Bharat by 2047 as India celebrated its 77th Republic Day Union Minister Piyush Goyal shared heartfelt Republic Day wishes to all fellow citizens on XâThis glorious day reminds us of the strength of our Constitution the spirit of democracy and the essence of national unity Let us on this sacred occasion resolve to embrace constitutional values and commit to building a strong prosperous and developed Indiaâ the Minister postedUnion Minister Pralhad Joshi extended warm greetings to all fellow citizens on the 77th Republic DayâLet us continue to uphold the values of democracy unity and constitutional dutyâ Joshi saidâToday as Kartavya Path comes alive with colours of our rich culture and civilisational values and of our confident march into the future we proudly celebrate our unprecedented Vikas and Virasat under the decisive firm and visionary leadership of PM Narendra Modiâ said Union Minister Hardeep Singh PuriâWe come together to witness the strength of our formidable defence preparedness cutting edge innovations across sectors and our transformational journey into being Viksit Bharatâ he mentioned on XUnion Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that on this sacred occasion âlet us all pledge to safeguard our democratic values and contribute to realising the resolve of Prime Minister Modi for a Developed IndiaâUnion Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said that this Republic Day âI had the honour of hoisting the National Flag at my residence a moment that always fills the heart with pride and responsibilityââAs the Tricolour rose it reaffirmed my faith in our Constitution and the timeless values of democracy unity and service that define our great nation The true strength of India lies in carrying these ideals into our everyday actions and working selflessly for the people May this Republic Day inspire us all to contribute towards a stronger more inclusive and progressive Indiaâ Naidu posted on X IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/union-ministers-take-firm-resolve-to-build-strong-and-inclusive-viksit-bharat-659715.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 10:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/97-pc-firms-in-india-upgrade-privacy-frameworks-to-support-responsible-ai-use-report-659793.html New Delhi Jan 26 As artificial intelligence rapidly becomes part of everyday business 97 per cent of companies have already expanded their privacy programmes a new report said on Monday Data compiled by Cisco showed that nearly 96 per cent organisations plan to invest even more underlining how critical data protection has become in the AI eraThe study which surveyed over 5200 IT technology and security professionals across 12 countries highlights that AI is the main force behind this transformationIn India nearly all organisations reported expanding their privacy programmes to keep up with the growing complexity of AI systemsGlobally too spending on privacy initiatives has increased sharply with many companies now investing millions of dollars annually to strengthen data protection frameworksThe report showed that businesses clearly see the link between strong privacy practices and successful AI useA large majority believe that robust privacy frameworks help them innovate faster and build trust in AIpowered servicesIn India every organization surveyed said they experienced at least one business benefit from their privacy efforts such as improved agility better innovation or stronger customer loyaltyMany also pointed out that being transparent about how data is collected and used plays a major role in gaining customer confidenceHowever while privacy investments are rising data governance is still evolving Many companies are struggling with managing and accessing highquality data needed to run AI systems effectivelyAround 70 per cent of organisations in India said they face challenges in efficiently using relevant and reliable dataAlthough several companies have set up AI governance bodies only a small number feel these structures are fully matureCisco leaders emphasised that AI requires a more holistic approach to managing all types of data not just personal informationThey noted that organizations must clearly understand and structure their data so that AIdriven decisions can be explained and trusted making governance a critical part of scaling AI responsiblyThe report also highlights growing concerns around crossborder data flows While there is increasing demand for data localisation in India many organisations feel these requirements add cost and complexity and make it harder to deliver seamless services across countriesA large number of companies support the idea of harmonised international data transfer rules to ensure secure and efficient global operations as per the report IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/97-pc-firms-in-india-upgrade-privacy-frameworks-to-support-responsible-ai-use-report-659793.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 23:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/big-boost-for-trade-as-india-eu-fta-negotiations-conclude-659806.html New Delhi Jan 26 Negotiations for the longawaited IndiaEuropean Union Free Trade Agreement FTA have been successfully concluded and the deal will be officially announced on Tuesday Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said on Monday Describing the agreement as balanced and forwardlooking Agrawal noted that it would strengthen economic integration between India and the EU and significantly boost trade and investment flowsThe FTA is expected to come into force sometime next year after the legal review of the text a process that could take around five to six months following which the formal signing will take placeOften referred to as the Mother of All Deals the IndiaEU FTA is being seen as a major step in expanding Indiaâs global trade footprintHe believe the agreement could help soften the impact of high US tariffs by opening up wider opportunities in the European market especially for Indian exports such as textiles and jewelleryOne of the most significant outcomes of the pact is the opening up of Indiaâs automobile sector to European car manufacturersImport duties on European vehicles are expected to be sharply reduced from the current 110 per cent to around 40 per cent making cars from companies like Volkswagen MercedesBenz and BMW more affordable in the Indian marketThe auto sector has traditionally been one of the most protected areas of the Indian economy and is largely dominated by Japanâs Suzuki Motor and Indian brands Mahindra and Tata which together control nearly twothirds of the marketAt present European companies hold only about 4 per cent of Indiaâs annual car market of 44 million unitsThe EU already plays a key role in Indiaâs trade landscape It accounts for around 17 per cent of Indiaâs total exports while exports to India make up about 9 per cent of the EUâs overseas shipmentsIn the financial year 2024â25 Indiaâs bilateral trade in goods with the EU stood at 13653 billion with exports worth 7585 billion and imports at 6068 billionThis made the EU Indiaâs largest trading partner in goods Trade in services between the two sides reached 8310 billion in 2024 IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/big-boost-for-trade-as-india-eu-fta-negotiations-conclude-659806.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 23:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/pakistans-senate-panel-flags-serious-cyber-security-lapses-warns-citizens-data-at-risk-659654.html New Delhi Jan 25 A recent hearing of the Senate Standing Committee on Interior has raised serious concerns about the poor state of cyber security in Pakistan especially within key government institutions such as NADRA and the Federal Board of Revenue FBR Lawmakers were told that repeated cyber breaches in these organisations have led to the leakage of sensitive personal data of citizens highlighting major failures in data protection according to a Business Recorder reportSenator Afnanullah Khan spoke strongly on the issue and warned that the frequent theft of data from official databases could even suggest the involvement or negligence of insidersHe said the situation reflects not just isolated lapses but deeprooted structural weaknesses in Pakistanâs overall cyber security systemAccording to him combined data taken from NADRA the FBR and even banks is openly available on the dark web showing how serious and widespread the problem has becomeThe threat is not limited to government departments alone Private sector entities including banks telecom companies and digital platforms are also vulnerable to hacking and data leaksMany of these organisations still rely on outdated security systems and lack strong mechanisms to respond quickly when breaches occurMeanwhile cybercriminals are using more advanced methods such as automated attacks social engineering and linking data from multiple sources to make money from stolen information on a large scaleDespite these risks cyber security is still not treated as a major governance or business priority in the countryExperts believe there is a clear lack of longterm investment strict enforcement and accountability which leaves both state institutions and private companies exposed in an increasingly hostile digital worldThis comes at a time when the government is actively promoting digitalisation The Digital Nation Pakistan Act passed last year aims to build a strong digital economy and governance system by expanding digital services and providing digital identities to citizensHowever critics warn that this rapid push towards digitalisation has not been matched with adequate safety measuresExpanding digital systems without strong safeguards creates large central data pools increases points of attack and makes the impact of breaches far more damagingObservers stress that any move towards digital platforms must go hand in hand with robust and continuously updated cyber security systemsIt is particularly worrying that Pakistan still does not have a comprehensive data protection law to safeguard personal and financial informationThere is also no legal requirement forcing organisations to invest in cyber security infrastructure or to prepare for threats such as hacking identity theft and online fraud In fact some recent government actions have made the situation worseSteps like slowing down internet speeds and trying to restrict the use of VPNs have drawn criticism for showing a poor understanding of digital securitySlower internet can delay important security updates while restricting VPNs weakens online privacy and exposes sensitive dataThis experts say makes both public and private systems more vulnerable to cyberattacks IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/pakistans-senate-panel-flags-serious-cyber-security-lapses-warns-citizens-data-at-risk-659654.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/aerospace-engineer-chandramouli-actors-murali-mohan-rajendra-prasad-among-padma-awardees-from-telugu-states-659680.html Hyderabad Jan 25 Chandramouli Gaddamanugu the aerospace engineer who directed the Akash Missile System from development to deployment in Operation Sindoor veteran actors Maganti Murali Mohan and Babu Rajendra Prasad and celebrated Kuchipudi dancer Deepika Reddy are among 11 personalities from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh who have been conferred Padma Shri awards for outstanding contributions in their respective fields Seven individuals from Telangana and four from Andhra Pradesh have been selected by the Government of India for one of the highest civilian awardsChandramouli Gaddamanugu Telangana is a visionary aerospace engineer who directed the Akash Missile System from development to deployment in Operation Sindoor He advanced national security through pathbreaking researchMaganti Murali Mohan is one of the veteran actors of Tollywood Hailing from Andhra Pradesh he acted in or produced more than 350 films in 60 years He is also known for his extensive charitable contributions in health and educationRajendra Prasad who hails from Andhra Pradesh is a veteran actor of Telugu films In a career spanning five decades he has acted in over 240 filmsDeepika Reddy Telangana is a celebrated Kuchipudi dancer and global cultural ambassador with a fivedecade career She elevated Indian classical dance worldwideGarimella Balakrishna Prasad Andhra Pradesh has been conferred Padma Shri posthumously He was an illustrious classical vocalist composer and writer titled Asthana Vidhwan He set tunes to a large number of Annamacharya Sankeerthanas created new ragas and performed over 5000 concertsGuduru Venkat Rao Telangana has been awarded Padma Shri for his contributions in the field of medicine A prolific gastroenterologist he performed over 12000 surgeries and 16000 endoscopies He is the first to perform a Transoral Endoscopic Appendectomy He also contributed in development of a macroencapsulation device for diabetesKrishnamurty Balasubramanian Telangana is a prominent material scientist specialising in critical minerals He revolutionised Indias defence and space capabilities developed prosthetic implants and cryogenic engine materials He advanced electric mobility biomedical devices and metallurgical innovationKumarasamy Thangaraj of CSIRCentre for Cellular and Molecular Biology CCMB Hyderabad is a pathbreaking geneticist best known for his work on genetics and genomics His research work is foundational to Indian population science tracing genetic origins and migration patterns of Indian populations and providing an alternate hypothesis on ancient IndiaPalkonda Vijay Anand Reddy Telangana is a renowned oncologist He performed the first Perioperative Brain Interstitial Implant He also introduced Hypofractionated Radiotherapy and Shortcourse Radiation for cancer treatment He is the founder of the CURE FoundationPioneering social worker Rama Reddy Mamidi Telangana has been conferred the Padma Shri posthumously He established Womens Dairy Cooperative strengthened rural cooperatives empowered women and shaped national cooperative lawsVempaty Kutumba Sastry Andhra Pradesh is a prominent Sanskrit scholar and visionary administrator He devoted five decades to advancing the language on the global stage Sastry led multiple Sanskrit universities authored landmark books and papers IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/aerospace-engineer-chandramouli-actors-murali-mohan-rajendra-prasad-among-padma-awardees-from-telugu-states-659680.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 01:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/hyderabad-police-to-deal-firmly-with-digital-blackmail-cyberstalking-659688.html Hyderabad Jan 25 Hyderabad Police Commissioner V C Sajjanar said on Sunday that harassment of women particularly digital blackmail and cyberstalking will be dealt with firmly and without compromise No offender should assume anonymity or technology will shield them from the law We will pursue every complaint with seriousness and ensure strict legal action the Commissioner saidSHE Teams of Hyderabad police resolved over 1100 complaints and apprehended over 3800 miscreants in a yearUsing a combination of undercover surveillance decoy operations and technical expertise the specialised wing of the city police apprehended 3826 individuals caught redhanded for various forms of harassment in 2025Sajjanar reiterated that womenâs safety remains a nonnegotiable priority for the Hyderabad policeUrging women not to suffer in silence he stated that fear of stigma or exposure should never deter victims from seeking helpYour identity and dignity will be protected Confidentiality is our responsibility and the police will stand with every woman who approaches us he added assuring a swift response and victimcentric handling of complaintsSajjanar said that an analysis of cases registered during the year pointed to a worrying rise in cyberrelated offences Blackmail emerged as the most common complaint with 366 victims seeking assistanceOffenders typically befriended women on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram gained their trust and later misused recorded video calls or private photographs to extort money or sexual favours In several cases former partners used old images to threaten victims often attempting to disrupt their future marriages or personal livesPolice also observed a rise in what they termed psychological voyeurism where offenders exploit the anonymity of digital platforms to harass women The SHE Teams resolved 121 cases of midnight harassment through internet calls and 82 cases involving fake profiles and the circulation of obscene content on WhatsAppAt least 50 women reported severe mental distress due to repeated abusive calls from untraceable numbers which were later identified using forensic analysis The teams further handled 98 cases of breach of promise to marry where men allegedly exploited women emotionally physically or financially under the pretext of marriage before abandoning themPsychological counselling was provided to the victims and criminal proceedings were initiated against the accusedApart from complaintbased action the SHE Teams maintained a strong preventive presence on the ground Fifteen teams operating in plain clothes conducted surveillance and decoy operations at bus stations colleges and other crowded public places Of the 3826 individuals apprehended most were counselled along with their family members while serious cases led to FIRs arrests and judicial custody IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/hyderabad-police-to-deal-firmly-with-digital-blackmail-cyberstalking-659688.html Mon, 26 Jan 2026 01:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/kerala-bets-on-responsible-ai-to-power-its-next-growth-phase-659576.html Thiruvananthapuram Jan 24 As Artificial Intelligence moves rapidly from buzzword to backbone Kerala is positioning itself to make AI a key driver of governance reform and economic strategy The Stateâs emerging approach reflects a deliberate shift from building digital infrastructure to generating measurable public and economic outcomes from advanced technologiesChief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said âArtificial Intelligence has the potential to transform governance and public service delivery but it must be developed and deployed in alignment with democratic values ethical principles and data protectionâKerala enters this phase with several structural advantages Initiatives such as KFON aimed at universal broadband access the Kerala Startup Mission and the Digital University have already created a strong base of connectivity talent and innovationThe challenge now lies in translating this readiness into scalable AI applications across governance healthcare education agriculture and digital public infrastructureThe Stateâs policy narrative is also closely aligned with national priorities under the India AI MissionWith the India AI Summit 2026 approaching Kerala is seeking to position itself as an implementation hub for AIdriven public systems while simultaneously attracting startups investors and global partnerships focused on digital services and platformsWhile the State has historically been cautious about large private capital inflows its strengths lie in skilled human capital credible public institutions and rising demand for AIled solutions in areas such as health technology governance platforms and cybersecurityThese segments offer scope for pilots that can be scaled into exportable service modelsConverting policy intent into outcomes will require agile procurement frameworks regulatory clarity and deeper collaboration between government academia and startupsThere is also the risk that excessive caution could slow innovation in a sector defined by speedEven so Keralaâs AI strategy is beginning to stand out not as a race to deploy technology but as an effort to define how AI can serve public interest while opening new economic pathwaysIf successful this approach could give the State a distinctive position in Indiaâs evolving AI economy IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/kerala-bets-on-responsible-ai-to-power-its-next-growth-phase-659576.html Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-can-create-13-trillion-in-exports-through-deregulation-push-by-2035-report-659584.html New Delhi Jan 24 India is aiming to nearly triple its exports to 13 trillion by 2035 by pushing manufacturingled growth through structural reforms and deregulation rather than relying on heavy government spending according to reports The strategy marks Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs third major attempt to turn India into a global manufacturing hub and a key driver of world tradeThe government is focusing on 15 priority manufacturing sectors including highend semiconductors metals electronics and labourintensive industries such as leather as per the reportsOfficials believe that easing regulations simplifying compliance and improving the business environment will help companies scale up production attract investment and compete globallyThe renewed push comes at a time when India is being seen as a stable growth engine amid global uncertaintyWith supply chains under stress worldwide and geopolitical tensions rising India is positioning itself as a reliable alternative manufacturing destinationRecent data suggests that the manufacturing sector is already responding positively to policy support and reformsIndiaâs manufacturing performance touched a record high in the third quarter of FY26 with industry sentiment improving further according to a latest survey by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry FICCIAs per FICCIâs Quarterly Survey on Manufacturing 91 per cent of companies reported higher or stable production levels in Q3 FY26 up from 87 per cent in the previous quarterIndustrial confidence also strengthened with 86 per cent of respondents expecting higher or similar order levels compared to the previous quarter helped in part by recent GST rate cutsThe survey which covers manufacturing units with a combined annual turnover of over Rs 3 lakh crore showed that financial conditions remain supportiveThe average interest rate for manufacturers stood at 89 per cent while nearly 87 per cent of firms said they had sufficient access to bank funding for working capital and longterm needs IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/india-can-create-13-trillion-in-exports-through-deregulation-push-by-2035-report-659584.html Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-upi-likely-to-land-in-japan-after-trials-with-ntt-data-report-659585.html New Delhi Jan 24 Indiaâs QRâcode payment network the Unified Payments Interface UPI is expanding beyond its borders with Japan among countries trialling the system to serve growing numbers of Indian tourists a report has said The report from Nikkei Asia said that Japanese IT services company NTT Data is partnering with National Payments Corporation of India NPCI to run a trial in Japan in FY26 that would let Indian tourists pay with UPI and have their Indian bank accounts debitedThe companies are considering ways to connect Japanese and Indian payment networks the report saidThe move aims to capture a surging number of Indian tourists as Japan received about 315 lakh visitors from India in 2025 up 35 per cent yearâonâyearMcKinsey has projected the number of outbound trips from India rising from 13 million in 2022 to 90 million in 2040 as growing middleclass incomes fuel an appetite for foreign trips the report saidUPI launched in 2016 as a governmentâled initiative has become part of everyday life and allows a single QR code to be used by major payment applicationsUPI transactions rose 42 per cent in fiscal 2024 to 1858 billion and an IMF report in June 2025 called it the âworldâs largest realâtime payment systemâNPCI and the Indian government have exported UPI to eight countries since 2021 including Bhutan Singapore France Sri Lanka and the UAE and are helping nations such as Peru and Namibia develop similar railsThe report noted UPIâs rapid domestic adoption was driven by its sharedâplatform design as well as banks and fintech companies developing their payment apps with UPI as a common standardUPI accounted for 58 per cent of instore payments in India in 2024 and set to rise to 76 per cent in 2030 when cash transactions could fall from 15 per cent to 7 per cent according to US payments company WorldpayNTT Data likely to promote UPI to Japanese merchants already offers payment terminals for businesses in India and Southeast Asia with around 6 million Indian stores including ecommerce businesses using its services IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-upi-likely-to-land-in-japan-after-trials-with-ntt-data-report-659585.html Sun, 25 Jan 2026 00:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/pli-white-goods-scheme-5-selected-firms-to-achieve-rs-8-337-crore-in-production-says-govt-659480.html New Delhi Jan 23 The government on Friday said that five companies selected in the fourth round under the PLI Scheme for White Goods are expected to achieve a total production of Rs 833724 crore and generate 1799 additional direct jobs by FY 2027â28 The evaluation of 13 applications received in the fourth round under the PLI Scheme for White Goods has resulted in the provisional selection of five applicants with a committed investment of Rs 863 crore all engaged in the manufacturing of air conditioner AC components said Ministry of Commerce and Industry in a statementAccording to the statement overall a total of 85 companies selected under the PLI Scheme for White Goods Air Conditioners and LED Lights are expected to make investments of Rs 11198 crore leading to cumulative production of Rs 190050 crore over the scheme periodEight applicants have been referred to the Committee of Experts CoE for detailed examination and recommendations The scheme offers incentives ranging from 6 per cent to 4 per cent on a reducing basis on incremental sales for a period of five years following the base year and a oneyear gestation period Domestic Value Addition is expected to increase from the current 20â25 per cent to 75â80 per centThe Cabinet approved the ProductionLinked Incentive PLI Scheme for White Goods Air Conditioners and LED Lights on April 7 2021 with a total outlay of Rs 6238 crore to be implemented from FY 2021â22 to FY 2028â29 Under the scheme manufacturers of air conditioners will produce components such as compressors copper tubes plain andor grooved control assemblies for IDUs and ODUs heat exchangers and BLDC motors among others Similarly for LED Lights components including LED chip packaging LED drivers LED engines LED light management systems and metallized films for capacitors among others will be manufactured in India according to the official statementThe scheme aims to create a robust domestic component ecosystem for the air conditioners and LED Lights industry and position India as an integral part of the global supply chains IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/pli-white-goods-scheme-5-selected-firms-to-achieve-rs-8-337-crore-in-production-says-govt-659480.html Sat, 24 Jan 2026 00:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/early-intervention-a-national-responsibility-to-secure-future-of-kids-with-special-needs-minister-659487.html New Delhi Jan 23 Early intervention is a national responsibility to secure the future of children with developmental delays and other special needs said Dr Virendra Kumar Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment on Friday Speaking at the inauguration of the Cross Disability Early Intervention Centre CDEIC at the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities NIEPID in Noida he emphasised the governmentâs unwavering commitment to inclusive and early support systemsHe affirmed that the Ministry will continue to strengthen early intervention services so that children with developmental delays and disabilities can achieve their fullest potential and participate meaningfully in societyâEarly childhood intervention is not merely a service but a national responsibility to secure the future of every childâ Kumar saidâCentres like CDEIC represent the government of Indiaâs resolve to reach children at the earliest stage ensuring timely scientific and compassionate supportâ he addedHighlighting the transformative power of early intervention Kumar noted that the first six years of life are decisive for brain development and lifelong outcomes in health learning and social participationDirecting that the Noida centre evolve into a model of excellence the Minister stressed that quality must be reflected not only in infrastructure and aesthetics but also in advanced technology skilled professionals and evidencebased practicesHe further emphasised that families especially parents and caregivers are central to successful early intervention and instructed the centre to organise regular structured caregiver training programmes with proper certification to empower families as equal partners in the childâs developmental journeyâParents are the first and most powerful therapists in a childâs life and when empowered with the right knowledge and support no child with developmental delay will ever be left behindâ he addedThe Minister reiterated that with the combined efforts of professionals institutions and the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities DEPwD CDEICs must become centres of hope trust and innovationThe CDEIC at Noida is designed to provide holistic multidisciplinary services for children with developmental delays and other special needs The centre will offer occupational therapy physiotherapy speech therapy medical consultation special education family counselling and schoolreadiness interventions enabling comprehensive care under one roofWith stateoftheart facilities the centre is expected to cater to a large population of children in the critical 06 years age group from Noida and surrounding regions IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/early-intervention-a-national-responsibility-to-secure-future-of-kids-with-special-needs-minister-659487.html Sat, 24 Jan 2026 00:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/agreement-signed-to-provide-drone-based-healthcare-services-in-nagaland-659490.html Kohima Jan 23 In a significant step towards strengthening healthcare delivery in Nagaland a Memorandum of Agreement MoA has been signed to integrate drone technology into the stateâs healthcare service framework officials said here on Friday A senior Health and Family Welfare Department official said that the Nagaland GIS and Remote Sensing Centre NGISRSC under the Planning and Transformation Department and the department signed the MoA in Kohima on Thursday to incorporate drone technology into the stateâs healthcare delivery system The official said that the collaboration aims to address critical challenges posed by Nagalandâs difficult terrain remoteness and limited accessibility by deploying drone technology for the delivery of emergency medical supplies as well as for response during disease outbreaks and natural calamities The drone technology will also provide aerial support for vector control operations and enable geospatial mapping to facilitate informed planning and decisionmaking he added Under the agreement the NGISRSC will undertake drone operations capacity building data analysis and ensure compliance with applicable regulatory frameworks while the Department of Health amp Family Welfare will provide the necessary logistical support coordination and deployment planning Senior Project Director NGISRSC Mhathung Kithan emphasised the importance of integrating emerging technologies into public health systems stating that the adoption of drone technology would significantly enhance the efficiency of healthcare service delivery across the mountainous state Principal Director Health amp Family Welfare Mereninla Senlem highlighted that the collaboration would strengthen the stateâs preparedness and response mechanisms during emergencies and disasters She noted that the initiative would play a crucial role in ensuring the timely delivery of essential medical supplies during emergency health operations and disaster situations The MoA marks an important milestone in Nagalandâs journey towards resilient technologyenabled healthcare and sets a model for interdepartmental collaboration in leveraging emerging technologies for public welfare the official added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/agreement-signed-to-provide-drone-based-healthcare-services-in-nagaland-659490.html Sat, 24 Jan 2026 00:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/childhood-vaccinesdonotraiseriskof-epilepsy-study-659545.html New Delhi Jan 24 Routine childhood vaccinations are not associated with an increased risk of epilepsy in young children according to a new study led by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The study published in The Journal of Pediatrics showed that the aluminum used as vaccine adjuvants also does not increase the risk of the neurological conditionâIncident epilepsy was not associated with uptodate vaccination status or cumulative vaccine aluminum exposure among children less than 4 years of ageâ said the team including those from the Marshfield Clinic Research Institute in Marshfield USThe study included 2089 children diagnosed as having epilepsy from age 1 year to less than 4 years These were compared with 20139 children without epilepsy based on age sex and health care siteThe majority of the kids were boys 54 per cent and between the ages of 1 year and 23 months 69 per cent No higher risk following the childhood vaccine schedule was observed stated the researchersTo assess vaccine exposure the team examined the schedule for routine childhood vaccines and their cumulative aluminum exposure from vaccine adjuvants measured in milligramsAluminum salts including formulations of aluminum hydroxide AH amorphous aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate aluminum phosphate AP combined AH and AP AHAP and aluminum potassium sulfate are commonly used as adjuvants in vaccines While this helps to enhance immune response it has been a focus of safety concernsHowever the team found that neither measure was associated with a higher risk of epilepsyâThe adjusted odds ratios for both measures did not exceed 10 Children with previously established risk factors for epilepsy including those born prematurely those with a history of epilepsy and those with underlying neurologic or medical conditions had substantially higher odds of developing the conditionâ the team saidA subgroup analysis suggested that very young infants 1 to 2 months old who received vaccines containing the adjuvant combination AHAP appeared to have about twice the odds of an epilepsy diagnosis compared with those who did not but the odds did not quite reach statistical significanceâOverall this study provides additional reassurance on the safety of the childhood vaccine schedule at a time when vaccination coverage has declined in some populations the researchers saidThese results may help providers communicate with parents concerned about potential risks of epilepsyâ they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/childhood-vaccinesdonotraiseriskof-epilepsy-study-659545.html Sat, 24 Jan 2026 12:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-office-market-likely-to-outpace-asiapacific-peers-with-7-10-pc-rental-growth-659550.html New Delhi Jan 24 Indiaâs office market is set to outperform the AsiaâPacific region in 2026 with prime office rents forecast to grow 710 per cent a report has said The report from real estate services firm Knight Frank stated that India has emerged as the regionâs growth engine showing early signs of stabilisation after two years of rental declinesThe growth is supported by strong leasing momentum the expansion of Global Capability Centres GCC and rising demand for highquality and futureready office spaceIndiaâs three largest office markets Bengaluru Mumbai and DelhiNCR collectively recorded about 50 million sq ft of leasing in 2025 up 21 per cent yearâonâyear with the highest annual absorption on record across these markets the report saidBengaluru led regional performance with 138 per cent annual prime rental growth and a 74 per cent quarterâonâquarter rise in Q4 2025 with CY2025 marked as the cityâs most prolific year on record in terms of area leasedTotal leasing commitments across these three markets reached a record 50 million sq ft in 2025 driven by GCCs flex operators and IT outsourcing firms and rents rose 58 per cent YoY the report saidMumbai and DelhiâNCR also saw steady rental appreciation in prime microâmarkets and rising interest from financial services flex operators and global corporates consolidating into higherâquality locationsAcross AsiaâPacific over 100 million sq ft of new office space is expected in 2026 likely pushing regional vacancy and muting rental growth while Indiaâs fundamentals should absorb over 43 million sq ft of completions in 2026 without materially weakening rental momentum the firm forecastedShishir Baijal International Partner Chairman and Managing Director Knight Frank India said occupier demand is expected to remain strong in 2026 with higher supply volumes supporting market traction during the yearGlobal Capability Centres thirdparty IT businesses and financial services firms are not only expanding but also committing early to highquality developments said Baijal IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-office-market-likely-to-outpace-asiapacific-peers-with-7-10-pc-rental-growth-659550.html Sat, 24 Jan 2026 13:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/national-girl-child-day-india-advancing-towardsan-equitablesociety-says-govt-659563.html New Delhi Jan 24 India is advancing towards an equitable society with no gender discrimination and equal opportunities for girls said the government Initiated in 2008 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development MWCD the day serves as a platform to raise awareness about gender discrimination promote equal opportunities and foster an environment where girls can thrive as empowered citizensThe day also aligns effectively with Indias vision of womenled development and Viksit Bharat by 2047The government has through different initiatives supported by community participation NGOs schools and Anganwadis made measurable gains in girls survival education and empowermentâNational Girl Child Day 2026 serves as a reminder of the importance of empowering girls and fostering an environment of equality and opportunity Through multisectoral awareness campaigns policy enforcement and community engagement India continues to build momentum towards gender equity and societal attitudesâ said an official statementâWith the ongoing commitment from government civil society and communities India is advancing towards an equitable society where every girl child is valued protected and empowered to realise her full potentialâ it addedThe government has addressed persistent inequalities faced by girls including gender biases female foeticide challenges related to the child sex ratio child marriage and barriers to education and healthImportantly the day emphasises changing societal attitudes to value and respect girls as equals thereby promoting their holistic developmentSignificant progress has been made through sustained efforts particularly under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao BBBP scheme with the Sex Ratio at Birth SRB rising from around 918 in 201415 to 930 in 202324 at the national level the government saidIn addition to this the Gross Enrolment Ratio GER for girls at the secondary level Classes 910 in India has shown improvement rising from 7551 per cent in 201415 to 78 per cent in 202324Furthermore the Gross Enrolment Ratio GER for girls at the secondary level reached 802 per cent in 202425The government has implemented a range of targeted schemes to protect educate and empower the girl child many integrated under the umbrella Mission Shakti which includes Samagra Shiksha Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya KGBV and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao BBBPOther initiatives include the Vigyan Jyoti Scheme scholarships for girl child Juvenile Justice Care and Protection of Children Act Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO Act Prohibition of Child Marriage Act Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat POSHAN Abhiyaan and Mission VatsalyaTo promote longterm economic security and independence for girls the government has also introduced dedicated savings and investment schemes that encourage families to plan for their daughtersâ education marriage and future needs with the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana SSY IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/national-girl-child-day-india-advancing-towardsan-equitablesociety-says-govt-659563.html Sat, 24 Jan 2026 14:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-life-sciences-leaders-scaling-ai-digital-transformation-report-659456.html New Delhi Jan 22 Life sciences leaders in India are scaling artificial intelligence AI and digital transformation said a report on Friday The report by KPMG which surveyed 110 global Life Sciences leaders noted that life sciences CEOs in India are also investing in enhancing workforce skills and the country is on track for sustainable growth in the sectorâIndiaâs life sciences sector is moving from aspiration to execution CEOs are scaling AI and digital transformation pursuing MampA with strategic clarity and investing in workforce skillsâ said Vijay Chawla Partner and Head â Life Sciences KPMG in IndiaâBy combining innovation with efficiency and leveraging Indiaâs talent base the industry is positioning itself for sustainable growth and global leadership in a rapidly evolving healthcare and Life Sciences ecosystemâ he addedGlobally over 80 pc global life sciences CEOs believe AI is crucial for growth reducing emissions and improving energy efficiencyThe report showed that leaders are decisively shifting from experimentation to execution focusing on integrating AI strategically transforming their businesses through MampA and reshaping their workforce to unlock a new era of innovation and efficiencyWhile 86 per cent of CEOs reported a moderatetohigh appetite for MampA over the next three years signaling a continued drive for transformation 80 per cent noted adjusting their growth strategies to navigate interrelated market challengesNotably 73 per cent of global leaders reported plans to allocate between 10 per cent and 20 per cent of their technology budgets specifically to AI initiatives 65 per cent of CEOs anticipate measurable returns on these investments within the next three yearsHowever as AI adoption accelerates cybersecurity remains a critical concern for 84 per cent of CEOsFurther the report said CEOs are making talent development a central focus acknowledging that 85 per cent believe workforce readiness for AI is crucial to achieving their goalsFor life sciences CEOs executing ESG initiatives also ranks as the secondmost important operational focus over the next three yearsAbout 80 per cent of CEOs believe that AI will play a significant role in reducing emissions and enhancing energy efficiency As a result sustainability objectives are increasingly translating into tangible operational improvements and financial gains signaling a promising path forward for the industry IANS https://dailyworld.in/tech/indias-life-sciences-leaders-scaling-ai-digital-transformation-report-659456.html Fri, 23 Jan 2026 23:52:00 +0530