The Indian government has ordered the removal of Jack Dorsey's Bitchat app from app stores, citing law-and-order concerns due to its ability to bypass communication restrictions. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued the takedown demand under Section 69(A) of the IT Act, 2000. The government also addressed the issue of banning minors from social media, indicating a search for a better solution than outright bans.
Delhi Police have arrested 11 individuals involved in multiple "digital-arrest" scams, recovering over Rs 12 crore. The scams, linked to handlers in Southeast Asia, have affected 78 complainants nationwide, totaling Rs 73 crore. A retired scientist was defrauded of Rs 1.25 crore, with the entire amount frozen. The investigation uncovered a network arranging mule bank accounts and using cryptocurrency for commissions.
Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal stated that his satcom venture, Eutelsat OneWeb, is 'significantly ahead' of Elon Musk's Starlink in the Indian satcom queue, having applied for a licence five years ago, and expressed a desire to receive regulatory approval before Starlink.
'In India, an MBA from a top college would have better opportunities as compared to an MTech from top colleges,' says rediffGURU Patrick D'souza.
Infosys CEO Salil Parekh stated on Tuesday that the company's AI services, currently contributing over 8% of revenue, are growing rapidly and could account for almost half of its work within two to three years. He highlighted the strong demand for AI services, the company's hiring and training efforts for graduates in AI, and discussed potential risks like infrastructure challenges and societal backlash.
A special PMLA court in Mumbai has allowed the monetisation of attached assets worth over Rs 3,400 crore in the National Spot Exchange Limited (NSEL)-linked payment default case. This decision paves the way for the restitution of funds to thousands of investors who have been awaiting recovery for 13 years since the 2013 payment default.
Apple has removed the offline messaging app Bitchat from its India App Store following a demand from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). Developed by Jack Dorsey, Bitchat faced scrutiny under Section 69(A) of the IT Act, 2000, due to concerns about its potential misuse by anti-national elements and for evading lawful surveillance, especially during public disorder. This marks the second time the app has faced government action in India.
A special PMLA court in Mumbai has allowed the monetisation of attached assets worth over Rs 3,400 crore in the National Spot Exchange Limited (NSEL)-linked money laundering case. This decision paves the way for the restitution of funds to thousands of investors who have been awaiting recovery for 13 years since the 2013 payment default. Up to Rs 1,950 crore from the monetisation will be paid to 63 Moons Technologies Ltd for specified creditors.
Britain's AI Minister, Kanishka Narayan, issued a strong warning on Monday about the growing risks posed by artificial intelligence to cyber defences. He highlighted the potential for serious consequences from autonomous AI systems and announced new government measures, including a 'National Cyber Action Plan', to bolster the UK's resilience against cyber-attacks.
A new report by BinQle indicates India will face a significant demand-supply gap of artificial intelligence professionals by 2026, requiring 1.4 million AI experts against an available pool of 400,000. This shortage could hinder growth for enterprises and GCCs, driving up salaries and necessitating continuous reskilling and strategic talent development.
The device brings a Zeiss-engineered triple-camera array with a 200 MP main sensor and ships with OriginOS 7, based on Android 17.
A Crisil report indicates that India is the world's fastest-growing polymer compound market, contributing 13% to the global industry. Driven by increased manufacturing in automotive, electronics, and infrastructure, the domestic sector is projected to reach USD 16.5 billion by FY2031, with significant demand from various pipeline and cable segments.
'Indian IT firms must hire and train more Americans while reducing dependence on sending employees from India to the US.'
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Friday inaugurated a high-performance sports science centre in Shillong, aiming to provide scientific training, injury prevention, and recovery support to athletes ahead of the National Games. Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra praised the state's investment in athlete development, highlighting the importance of supporting athletes before they achieve recognition. The centre, operational since September, is part of Meghalaya's long-term strategy to strengthen its sporting ecosystem and promote wider youth participation.
NITI Aayog has recommended treating data centres as strategic infrastructure rather than mere investment projects, releasing a report titled 'Data Centre Evaluation Framework to Help States Plan for Sustainable Growth'. The report advocates for common standards, central government guidance, and a structured approach for states to manage data centre growth, considering resource requirements and economic benefits.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has stated that the recent suspension of eight IT firms, including itself, from a US green card programme will not impact its workforce strategy or customer engagements, citing its low number of applications and focus on local hiring.
'It seems the prime minister may not be given the real picture about the country's space sector and ISRO. So, we are having the seminar to bring the issues to his notice.'
'Get people young, train them, assimilate them, and grow them adequately.'
'It is to observe the Sun continuously that you have the Aditya L1 mission.' 'It is in a position from where it can observe the Sun continuously.'
While AI can help automate routine, repetitive tasks, jobs that require high emotional intelligence, communication skills, creativity and the ability to work in unpredictable situations are likely to withstand the rise of AI, says Kumar Rajagopalan, vice president (strategic initiatives) and country head (India), at Dexian, a global provider of IT consulting, digital transformation and workforce solutions.
India's Ministry of Power has notified the third phase of Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE-III) norms for passenger vehicles, effective from April 1, 2027, which set relatively softer efficiency targets for lighter cars and demand greater improvements from heavier vehicles, a move expected to benefit manufacturers like Maruti Suzuki India.
Microsoft has clarified that 80 per cent of its H1-B visa applications in the last fiscal year were for existing employees, not new hires, following its suspension from a US green card programme.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed strong confidence in India achieving over 10 per cent economic growth, advocating for increased technology adoption and innovation. She urged overcoming scepticism and highlighted technology's transformative role in agriculture and public sector reforms, while also launching a new fund and book at an IIT Madras event.
India's exports saw a significant 23 per cent increase, reaching USD 44.4 billion in September, while the trade deficit narrowed to USD 30.21 billion, according to recent government data.
Experts at a national symposium in Shillong discussed the role of Artificial Intelligence in tourism, emphasising that AI should support human judgment, local knowledge, and cultural values rather than replace them. Discussions highlighted the need for robust policies to address ethical concerns, safeguard livelihoods, and preserve cultural heritage while leveraging AI for innovation and sustainability in the tourism sector, particularly in Meghalaya.
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has released 'anti-discrimination guidelines' advising students, faculty, and staff against inquiring about birth, admission category, or entrance exam ranks to prevent bias. This move follows the suicide of student Sahil Wakode, whose parents alleged caste discrimination. The guidelines also prohibit hateful messages and aim to foster inclusivity on campus.
The Tata Aeris iCNG, evolving from the Tigor, offers a modernized exterior and a feature-rich interior. It boasts innovative twin-cylinder CNG technology for maximum boot space, premium comfort features like ventilated seats and a 360-degree camera, and a smooth driving performance. Priced competitively, it aims to challenge rivals in the segment while offering enhanced practicality.
IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Indian government will release a consultation paper on AI regulations within a month. This framework will address critical aspects like AI safety, deepfakes, and a human-first approach, emphasising the industry's primary responsibility in ensuring safe AI deployment. The move comes amidst growing global concerns over AI risks and the need for robust safeguards.
The CBI has arrested Anil Kumar, a senior executive at Munitions India Limited (MIL), for allegedly taking bribes and disclosing sensitive defence information related to a Rs 500 crore supply contract. The FIR also names SMPP CEO Ashish Kansal. Kumar is accused of routing illicit proceeds through family members, compromising national security.
The Vivo V80 brings together a high-resolution AMOLED display, Zeiss-powered cameras and a large 7,200 mAh battery, making it a feature-packed option in the premium smartphone segment.
The ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT) has secured an Indian patent for a novel technology designed to make live fish and aquatic animal transport safer and more efficient without the use of chemicals. This innovative system employs controlled hypothermic anaesthetisation, gradually cooling aquatic animals to prevent shock and improve survival rates during transit, offering a practical and affordable solution for the seafood industry.
A new study analysing over 33,000 cancer journal articles has uncovered widespread citation manipulation by "research paper mills". These fraudulent organisations artificially inflate citation counts, a key academic performance metric, for thousands of articles. The suspect papers show unusually high citations but low readership, distorting scientific evidence and potentially slowing progress.
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council is set to discuss proposals aimed at transforming the complex indirect tax system into a more business-friendly regime, focusing on simplifying compliance, reducing administrative burdens, and potentially raising the prosecution threshold.
HCL Technologies' software division, HCLSoftware, is set to acquire Croatia-based enterprise RPA provider Robotiq.ai for 9 million euro. This strategic acquisition aims to enhance HCLSoftware's AI-driven workflow capabilities and automate tasks in complex business environments, with the deal expected to close by November 2026.
Domestic passenger vehicle dispatches in India increased by 21.8 per cent year-on-year to 4,54,574 units in September, while two-wheeler sales rose 13.5 per cent to 24.63 lakh units, according to SIAM data.
The Indian Army has launched 'Bharat Rice', a superior-quality rice for defence forces, aimed at improving ration quality and logistics. This initiative, spearheaded by the Directorate General of Supplies and Transport, involves direct supply to Army Supply Depots, including remote areas, and an MoU with FCI for infrastructure utilisation during contingencies. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted its significance for soldier welfare, operational readiness, and national security, emphasising logistics as combat power.
India's government is set to release its draft National Steel Policy for public consultation, aiming for over 600 million tonnes of steelmaking capacity and 500 million tonnes of consumption by 2047. The policy will also introduce a ~5,000-crore scheme to incentivise small steel producers for carbon emission reduction and address challenges like raw material availability and technological dependence.
Jio Platforms Ltd's initial public offering (IPO), anticipated to be India's largest, is scheduled to open for subscription on October 21 and close on October 23, with reservations for employees and Reliance Industries Ltd shareholders.
Wadhwani AI is working on a 'vulnerability mapping' project which determines the probability of a disease breaking out in a particular area during a particular season or time.
