Yogi Adityanath Opens Eastern UP’s First Tech CoE at Maharana Pratap Institute with TCS Foundation

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has inaugurated eastern Uttar Pradesh’s first Centre of Excellence in emerging technologies at the Maharana Pratap Institute of Technology (MPIT), Gorakhpur, in collaboration with the Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) Foundation. The centre will focus on AI, cybersecurity, data science, drones, and 3D printing, aiming to boost skill development, research, and startup activity in the region.

The CoE has been built at a cost of approximately ₹50 crore. This investment underscores the state’s commitment to advancing skill development and emerging technologies in eastern Uttar Pradesh.  

• Location: Maharana Pratap Institute of Technology (MPIT), Gorakhpur
• Partnership: Developed with support from TCS Foundation
• Focus Areas: Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Drones, 3D Printing
• Objective: Strengthen technical education, foster industry-linked skills, and encourage startup ecosystems in eastern UP
• Dignitaries Present: Tata Sons Chairperson N. Chandrasekaran and TCS CEO K. Krithivasan

Significance	Impact
Skill Development	Training youth in cutting-edge technologies for global opportunities
Research & Innovation	Infrastructure for advanced research projects and industry collaboration
Startup Ecosystem	Support for entrepreneurial ventures in emerging tech fields
Regional Growth	Accelerates digital and industrial growth in eastern UP

Broader Context: Over the past nine years, Uttar Pradesh has positioned itself as not just an infrastructure state but also a manufacturing and innovation hub. CM Yogi emphasized that initiatives like this will empower students, farmers, and women by equipping them with digital skills.

Centres of Excellence (CoEs) in Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh has established multiple Centres of Excellence (CoEs) across different regions, focusing on emerging technologies, entrepreneurship, and sector-specific innovation. The newly inaugurated Gorakhpur CoE is the first in eastern UP, but several others already exist in Lucknow, Noida, and other hubs.

• Regional Balance: Earlier, most CoEs were concentrated in Lucknow and Noida, but Gorakhpur’s inauguration signals a push toward equitable tech growth in eastern UP.
• Startup Ecosystem: CoEs provide incubation, mentorship, and funding opportunities for AI, cybersecurity, robotics, and clean-tech startups.
• Skill Development: They train students and professionals in cutting-edge technologies, preparing a workforce for global demand.
• Industry Collaboration: Partnerships with TCS, Tata Group, IIT Kanpur, and STPI ensure strong industry-academia linkages.
• Government Vision: Aligned with UP’s Digital India and Make in UP initiatives, these centres are part of the state’s ambition to become a manufacturing and innovation hub.

Location	Focus Area(s)	Partners/Support	Key Highlights
Lucknow (StartinUP, IT & Electronics Dept.)	AI, Blockchain, IoT, Robotics, Big Data, Clean-tech, Defense, Edu-tech, Agri-tech, Health-tech	Government of UP, StartinUP initiative	Designed to incubate 100 product-based startups; world-class infrastructure for R&D and entrepreneurship.
Noida (STPI & Industry Collaborations)	Electronics design, IT services, fintech, cybersecurity	STPI, private industry	Serves as a startup incubation hub for IT and electronics, with strong links to NCR’s tech ecosystem.
Greater Noida (Galgotias University)	AI, Data Science, Cloud Computing	Academic-industry partnerships	Focused on skill development and applied research in advanced computing.
Kanpur (IIT Kanpur CoEs)	Aerospace, Materials Science, AI, Cybersecurity	IIT Kanpur, Govt. of India	Includes National Centre for Flexible Electronics and AI & Cybersecurity labs.
Gorakhpur (MPIT)	AI, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Drones, 3D Printing	TCS Foundation, Tata Group	First CoE in Eastern UP, inaugurated by CM Yogi Adityanath in April 2026; aims to boost regional skill development and startups.

Eastern UP’s first CoE (Gorakhpur) complements existing hubs in Lucknow, Noida, and Kanpur, ensuring statewide coverage. Together, these centres form a networked innovation ecosystem that supports startups, research, and skill development across diverse domains.

NSE Secures SEBI Approval to Invest in India’s First Physical Coal Exchange

The National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE) has received approval from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) under Regulation 38(2) of the SECC Regulations, 2018, to invest in the proposed National Coal Exchange of India Limited. This approval marks a key regulatory milestone towards the establishment of a structured market platform for physical coal trading in India.

Company will soon apply to Coal Controller Organization to secure license for setting up Coal Exchange under relevant regulatory provisions.

The proposed exchange is intended to facilitate electronic spot trading of coal through standardized contracts, enabling transparent price discovery and defined settlement mechanisms for market participants including producers, consumers and traders. The initiative is aligned with the Government of India’s coal sector reforms, including commercial mining and liberalised coal sales, and is expected to support the development of a formal, transparent and efficient market structure for coal transactions, subject to incorporation of the entity and receipt of applicable approvals.

About National Stock Exchange of India Limited (NSE):

National Stock Exchange of India (NSE) was the first exchange in India to implement electronic or screen-based trading. It began operations in 1994 and is ranked as the largest stock exchange in India in terms of total and average daily turnover for equity shares every year since 1995, based on SEBI data. NSE has a fully integrated business model comprising exchange listings, trading services, clearing and settlement services, indices, market data feeds, technology solutions and financial education offerings. NSE also oversees compliance by trading, clearing members and listed companies with the rules and regulations of SEBI and the exchange. NSE is a pioneer in technology and ensures the reliability and performance of its systems through a culture of innovation and investment in technology. NSE is the world’s largest derivatives exchange by trading volume (contracts) for calendar year 2025 as per the statistics maintained by Futures Industry Association (FIA). NSE is ranked third in the world in equity segment by number of trades (electronic order book) in 2025, as per the statistics maintained by World Federation of Exchanges (WFE).

Starlink’s India Liftoff Stalled by FDI Rules and Security Concerns

Starlink’s India launch remains stalled as the government weighs foreign direct investment (FDI) approvals and national security clearances. While the company has reportedly cleared some security hurdles, final authorization from the Digital Communications Commission (DCC) and the Union Cabinet is still pending, leaving its commercial rollout uncertain.

Starlink, the satellite broadband arm of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has been seeking entry into the Indian market to provide high-speed internet services, particularly in rural and underserved regions. The company already holds a global license but cannot operate in India without spectrum allocation and FDI approval.

According to The Hindu BusinessLine, Starlink has recently met the security requirements set by law enforcement agencies. The next step involves review by the Digital Communications Commission (DCC), which is expected to convene soon. If approved, the proposal will move to the Union Cabinet for final clearance before Starlink can begin operations.

Reports from The Economic Times highlight that India’s government is scrutinizing Starlink’s investment proposal under FDI rules, citing national security concerns amplified by global geopolitical tensions. Authorities are cautious about foreign satellite operators due to risks of data interception, misuse of equipment, and vulnerabilities in emergency communications. India’s FDI policy for the space sector has been liberalized since 2024, allowing up to 100% foreign investment in satellite operations through the government approval route. However, sensitive sectors like telecom and space remain subject to strict compliance with guidelines from ISRO and the Department of Space.

In September 2025, Starlink received its trial spectrum clearance from India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to launch satellite internet services trials. 

However, the license alone wasn’t enough to begin operations. Starlink still needed:

• Spectrum allocation for satellite communications, which is a separate regulatory process.
• FDI and security clearances, since satellite internet falls under sensitive telecom and space sectors.
• Cabinet-level approval after review by the Digital Communications Commission (DCC).

So while the DoT trial license was granted, the government continued to scrutinize Starlink’s ownership structure and compliance with India’s FDI rules. Security agencies also raised concerns about potential misuse of equipment and risks to data sovereignty.

Starlink’s entry was expected to accelerate rural broadband expansion, bridging connectivity gaps in remote areas. The delay, however, benefits domestic competitors such as OneWeb (Bharti-backed) and Reliance Jio’s satellite ventures, which are positioning themselves to capture market share while Starlink awaits clearance. The case also sets a precedent for how India will regulate foreign satellite internet providers, balancing the promise of advanced technology with concerns over sovereignty and security.

In summary, while Starlink has made progress on the security front, its India launch hinges on FDI approval and Cabinet-level clearance. The government’s careful approach underscores the strategic importance of satellite communications in India’s national security framework.

Zoho Slaps ₹10 Crore Suit on Flexype Over Defamatory Posts

Zoho Corporation has filed a ₹10 crore defamation suit in the Madras High Court against Flexype Technologies and its co‑founder Azeem Hussain, alleging that social media posts about its accounting software Zoho Books were defamatory and harmed its reputation. The court has granted Zoho leave to proceed with the civil damages claim.

The matter has only been reported through legal filings and first covered by Bar & Bench and thereafter media outlets such as The Times of India and Business Today. 

Key Facts:

• Court: Madras High Court, Chennai
• Plaintiff: Zoho Corporation
• Defendant: Flexype Technologies Pvt Ltd and co‑founder Azeem Hussain
• Damages Sought: ₹10 crore
• Issue: Allegedly defamatory social media posts criticizing Zoho Books’ reliability
• Relief Sought: Damages plus injunctive relief

Court Proceedings:

• Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy initially questioned jurisdiction but accepted Zoho’s affidavit.
• The court granted leave for Zoho to initiate the civil damages suit.

Context of Dispute:

• Posts by Flexype’s co‑founder alleged serious issues with Zoho Books.
• Zoho clarified a payment gateway error caused confusion, not flaws in its software.

Implications:

• For Zoho: Protecting brand reputation in India’s SaaS market.
• For Flexype: Potential liability and reputational risk.
• For Industry: Highlights legal sensitivity around social media commentary.

Comparative Snapshot:

Aspect	Zoho Corporation	Flexype Technologies
Allegation	Defamation via social media posts	Criticism of Zoho Books’ reliability
Legal Action	₹10 crore damages + injunction	Defense pending
Court Involvement	Madras High Court	Respondent in suit
Broader Impact	Protecting SaaS reputation	Risk of liability & credibility loss

Risks & Takeaways:

• Social media liability can trigger defamation suits.
• Case may set precedent for Indian tech defamation disputes.
• Companies must balance transparency with caution in public commentary.

MeitY’s IndiaAI Mission Picks 10 Cutting‑Edge Startups for International Scale‑Up in Paris

In a continued push to strengthen India’s position in artificial intelligence on the global stage, the IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has announced the selection of ten cutting‑edge AI startups for the second cohort of the IndiaAI Startups Global Acceleration Programme. The initiative is being run in partnership with Station F, Paris, the world’s largest startup campus, and HEC Paris, one of Europe’s premier business schools.

Launched under the Startup Financing Pillar of the IndiaAI Mission, the programme equips selected startups with resources, mentorship, and strategic connections to scale internationally. Cohort II aligns with India’s National AI Strategy, emphasizing cross‑border knowledge exchange, exposure to advanced entrepreneurial ecosystems, and integration into global markets.

1. AI Health Highway India Pvt. Ltd. – AI‑enabled smart stethoscope for cardio‑respiratory screening
2. Awiros – Vision AI platform for agentic, context‑aware intelligence
3. Cognecto – AI infrastructure intelligence platform
4. Flaunt – Multimodal AI agents for fashion trends and video marketing
5. GreenFi.ai (Climateforce Technologies Pvt. Ltd.) – AI‑enabled ESG risk management software
6. Infiheal Healthtech Pvt. Ltd. – Healo, a multilingual AI mental health companion
7. InLustro Learning Pvt. Ltd. – AI‑powered job simulation platform
8. PredCo – AI‑driven compliance for modern manufacturing
9. SkyServe (Hyspace Technologies Pvt. Ltd.) – AI infrastructure for Earth & Space monitoring
10. TestAIng Solutions Pvt. Ltd. – QA and compliance suite for trusted AI

The startups were chosen through a rigorous multi‑stage selection process and will represent India’s dynamic AI innovation ecosystem at Station F. The programme includes a three‑week online preparation module, followed by a three‑month immersive residency in Paris, designed by HEC Paris to provide unparalleled access to resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities with leading French and European ecosystem players.

By facilitating access to international markets, fostering innovation, and attracting global investments, the initiative supports India’s vision of becoming a leader in responsible, scalable, and inclusive AI solutions.