IIT Madras has inaugurated a new state-of-the-art robotics laboratory, established with CSR support from Bechtel India. This collaboration aims to accelerate research, innovation, and industry applications in robotics and automation, specifically for the construction and infrastructure sectors, fostering advanced technological solutions and workforce development.
A Bihar Police sub-inspector has alleged that his 19-year-old son's death at IIIT Ranchi was a "cold-blooded" murder, not a suicide as claimed by the institute. He has demanded an SIT inquiry, citing inconsistencies like the absence of ligature marks and his son's normal behaviour just hours before his death. The institute has expressed sadness and called for a transparent investigation, while its director has been sent on leave.
Veteran physicist Professor Umesh V Waghmare has been appointed as the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology. Currently a professor at JNCASR, Bengaluru, his appointment was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet. He succeeds Professor Abhay Karandikar and brings a distinguished academic background from IIT-Bombay, Yale, and Harvard to the role.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) plans for 80% of its new hires to possess digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills, anticipating that the growing share of AI-led work will significantly boost its profit margins.
Former IAS officer Divya Mittal has launched her new political party, Jan Neeti Bharat, with the aim of contesting the 2027 Uttar Pradesh assembly elections and redefining governance by making people central to policymaking and ensuring government accountability.
Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar lauded KEONICS' initiative to provide AI-based KEO computers to rural children, marking the institution's golden jubilee. The KEO computers, developed in Karnataka, aim to bridge the digital divide. Shivakumar also highlighted government efforts to promote IT beyond Bengaluru, enhance industry-oriented skills, and digitise property records, emphasising the state's commitment to technology and skill development.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has initiated legal proceedings, including seeking a court injunction and filing a police complaint, against a video circulating on social media that he claims falsely links him to a sting operation. He and his son, Minister Yathindra Siddaramaiah, assert the video is a fabricated attempt at character assassination and disinformation.
Check Point Software Technologies has appointed Krishnan V V as its Managing Director and Country Head for India and South Asia. He will be responsible for business strategy, P&L, go-to-market execution, and organisational development, leveraging his three decades of leadership experience in the cybersecurity and technology sectors.
The new Tata Aeris, a sub-compact sedan, which replaces the Tigor, promises enhanced features, superior ride quality, and advanced technology.
The Enforcement Directorate has attached fresh assets worth Rs 442 crore belonging to online gaming company Gameskraft and its app RummyCulture, bringing the total frozen assets in the money laundering probe to Rs 2,843 crore. The agency alleges the company used bots to defraud users and generated proceeds of crime through platform commissions.
Tata Projects has forged a strategic partnership with Canada-based MDS Aero Support Corporation to develop advanced aero-engine testing infrastructure in India. This collaboration combines Tata Projects' infrastructure capabilities with MDS Aero Support's global expertise in gas turbine engine testing, aiming to support India's rapidly growing aerospace and propulsion ecosystem.
Mercedes-Benz India's Managing Director & CEO Santosh Iyer stated that demand continues to outstrip supply, particularly for the CLA electric vehicle, with over 1,000 orders and deliveries extending to March-April 2027. The company could have sold an additional 1,000 vehicles if supply had been adequate.
National Commission for Women chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar urged protection officers to prioritise "first response" in domestic violence cases, emphasising sensitive handling and immediate intervention to prevent tragedies. She highlighted that the success of protection officers lies in timely protection for women, not just file processing. Rahatkar stressed the importance of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, and called for a comprehensive "One Woman, One Support System" approach involving various services, continuous training, and prevention through awareness and empowerment.
TCS chief executive and managing director K Krithivasan stated that the US is unlikely to target tech companies based on their domicile, with actions like the recent green card application programme suspension being driven by local sensitivities around jobs.
A member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal, Mines & Steel, Sasmit Patra, highlighted the transformative potential of AI and digital technologies in making India's mining and metals sector more productive, transparent, and globally competitive. He emphasised their role in enhancing efficiency, safety, sustainability, and community engagement.
'My biggest fear about AI is that humans are going to rush to deploy it before AI is ready.'
Bengaluru-based deep-tech company RayVector Technologies is demonstrating its advanced multi-sensor module and wafer-handling technology at SEMICON India. This innovative solution uses sensing, imaging, and AI to detect minute irregularities in semiconductor wafers, helping manufacturers prevent costly production losses. The technology is already being utilised by major global players like Samsung, Intel, and TSMC, highlighting India's growing contribution to the global semiconductor ecosystem.
RBI Deputy Governor Rohit Jain highlighted that banks are well-positioned to deploy $133 billion mobilised through FCNR(B) deposits, especially with strong credit demand ahead of the festival season, while also stressing the importance of robust technology governance and cyber defences in the financial sector.
Anthropic has formally warned investors that its technology may pose "existential risks to humanity" in a long-awaited initial public offering prospectus circulated with a small group of partners in recent days.
'The Rs 35,000 crore of capex every year, I don't get to sign 35 paise out of this.'
The Kerala Crime Branch has arrested Raveendran Nair, former caretaker of Jayamadhavan Nair, for his murder nine years ago. The investigation, initially treated as an unnatural death, gained momentum through forensic evidence, contradictory statements, and a forged will, leading to the unravelling of a property dispute motive.
IIIT Hyderabad and measurement technologies firm Hexagon R&D India have collaborated to establish the Hexagon Digital Twin Centre of Excellence (CoE) at the IIIT Hyderabad campus. This CoE will focus on applied research, education, and industry collaboration in computer vision, spatial computing, and AI-powered digital twins, providing access to advanced imaging technology.
Four faculty members from Nagaland University have been named among the world's top 2 per cent scientists for their significant research contributions, according to an annual database by Elsevier and Stanford University. Three of them also feature in the Career-Long Top 2 per cent Scientists list, highlighting the university's growing global research impact across various scientific disciplines.
Samsung India has launched an Innovation Campus in Karnataka, in partnership with Nrupathunga University, to train 2,000 young individuals in industry-relevant AI skills. This initiative aims to support Karnataka's goal of building an AI-native ecosystem and developing a future-ready technology workforce, expanding access to practical AI education.
Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, stated that Starlink's services in India must be affordable for widespread adoption and that competition would benefit consumers, despite potentially reducing Reliance Jio's profits. He criticised Reliance Jio as a 'de facto monopoly' in India, alleging that certain business conglomerates were blocking Starlink's entry.
The Indian Navy has commissioned INS Mangrol, its third anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW-SWC), in Mumbai. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, the vessel is designed to enhance India's ability to detect and counter submarine threats, especially in shallow coastal waters. Its induction is seen as vital amidst rising geopolitical tensions and increased submarine activity in the Indian Ocean, reinforcing India's indigenous shipbuilding capabilities and maritime security.
Apple Pay has officially launched in India, integrating with CCAvenue and partnering with Axis Bank to bring secure and convenient mobile payment solutions to millions of iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch users across a vast network of merchants.
The GST Council is set to consider a proposal allowing businesses to file for GST registration in multiple states via a single application and standardise the documents required by tax officers, aiming to enhance ease of doing business.
Microsoft India and South Asia President, Puneet Chandok, discusses the company's strong belief in human-centric AI development, significant investments in India's cloud and AI infrastructure, and the country's pivotal role as an AI market, talent hub, and technology builder. He highlights AI's impact on jobs and the need for responsible innovation.
Customer experience firm Fusion CX is significantly investing in AI-enabled services and data infrastructure, aiming to increase its share in total turnover to 25% within 12-18 months. The company, which reported a turnover of Rs 1,818.13 crore in FY26, is preparing for an IPO of Rs 800-1,000 crore in October, driven by organic growth, acquisitions, and its AI strategy.
Industry experts advocate for India to develop its own artificial intelligence (AI) safety framework, distinct from US or EU models, to address unique challenges like deepfakes and cyberattacks. They call for a comprehensive commitment involving all stakeholders and a hybrid regulatory approach combining voluntary and binding measures, as the Indian government also considers new AI regulations.
Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has strongly criticised Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's decision to skip the BRICS summit in India, calling it "immature" and detrimental to Bangladesh's national interest. She argued that the absence lost opportunities for economic development and that foreign policy should not be driven by personal considerations. Hasina also highlighted the current "grave national crisis" in Bangladesh and her intention to return to restore democracy.
Among the late Jeffrey Archer's many, many fans in India is Sethu Iyer from Ahmedabad. 'How I wish,' says Sethu 'he had written a book based in India with cricket as the background!'
Specialists at AIIMS, Delhi, affirm that robot-assisted procedures significantly improve difficult gallbladder operations by offering enhanced visualisation and instrument control. This technology aids in navigating complex cases involving severe inflammation and unexpected anatomy, and is seen as the next evolutionary step in surgical techniques, potentially phasing out conventional laparoscopy.
A protest organised by the proposed Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in New Delhi on Saturday led to the detention of around 500 people. Despite heavy security, protesters used various tactics, including unique attire and hiding in a gurdwara, to voice their dissent against perceived curtailment of freedom of expression.
Experts highlight India's significant market potential for assistive technologies, estimated at Rs 75,000-95,000 crore by 2030. They advocate for a National Assistive Technology Policy to address current gaps in access and service delivery, fostering inclusion, independence, and economic participation for persons with disabilities and the elderly.
A World Bank report, 'The Promise of Artificial Intelligence', states that AI presents a historic opportunity for low- and middle-income countries to overcome development challenges, despite many being unprepared. It advises these nations to adopt and adapt existing AI tools rather than focusing on building frontier models immediately. The report also notes a significant gap in AI adoption and job automation between high-income and developing countries.
Zoho cofounder Sridhar Vembu dismisses exaggerated fears about AI's catastrophic potential and global development pauses. He advocates for India to adopt an independent AI strategy, fostering partnerships while avoiding entanglement in US-China tech rivalry. Vembu stresses extensive investment in foundational R&D across sectors, distinguishing it from costly frontier AI model development. He also highlights concerns about AI's impact on human judgment, skill erosion, and job disruption, particularly in software engineering, while remaining optimistic about new economic opportunities.
'There is a long set of decisions that have to be made along the way for anything to actually get actuated in the real world.'
rediffGURU Dr Nagarajan JSK, a career counsellor with nearly 34 years of experience in teaching, research and career guidance, answers students' questions about engineering and dental admissions, counselling rounds, college preferences and admission prospects.
