MSME Ministry Trains 2,500 Artisans in AI Tools Under PM Vishwakarma Scheme

The Ministry of MSME has trained over 2,500 artisans and craftspeople under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools, marking the first-of-its-kind initiative across Government of India ministries to integrate grassroots entrepreneurs into the AI ecosystem.

Background of the Initiative

• Scheme: PM Vishwakarma, launched on 17 September 2023, supports artisans in 18 traditional trades with training, tools, credit, and market linkage.
• Objective: Empower artisans by bridging the digital divide and enhancing livelihoods through technology.
• Alignment: Reflects the vision of “AI for Social Good” emphasized at the IndiaAI Impact Summit and reinforced in the Delhi Declaration.

Training Highlights

• Beneficiaries: 2,543 artisans and craftspeople across 20 States and Union Territories.
• Format: Hands-on, practical sessions delivered in simple language and tailored to local contexts.
• AI Tools Introduced: ChatGPT, Indus, and Google Gemini.
• Skills Covered:
  • Branding, product design, packaging, and marketing strategies
  • AI-enabled business efficiency solutions
  • Customer engagement and market expansion
  • AI-generated product descriptions and high-quality visual content

Pan-India Coverage

State/UT	Beneficiaries
Telangana	387
Maharashtra	295
Gujarat	262
Rajasthan	251
Bihar	250
Karnataka	248
Uttar Pradesh	210
Punjab	100
Delhi	82
Odisha	70
Goa	68
Uttarakhand	51
Meghalaya	51
Tripura	50
Jharkhand	43
Daman & Diu	38
Chandigarh	36
Himachal Pradesh	31
Sikkim	20
Total	2,543

Impact and Significance

• Digital Empowerment: Bridges the gap between traditional craftsmanship and modern technology.
• Global Competitiveness: Enhances product value and market reach for grassroots entrepreneurs.
• Economic Growth: Promotes sustainable and inclusive growth by enabling artisans to access new customer segments.
• Policy Innovation: First initiative across Government of India ministries to integrate artisans into the AI ecosystem.

Conclusion

This pioneering effort by the Ministry of MSME under the PM Vishwakarma Scheme represents a transformative step in India’s digital journey. By equipping artisans with AI-driven skills, the government is not only preserving India’s rich artisanal heritage but also positioning it for global competitiveness in the digital age.

CIBIL Score Now Available on BHIM Payments App

TransUnion CIBIL, India’s leading credit information company, today announced the integration of the consumer CIBIL Score and Credit Information Report (CIR) into BHIM Payments App, India’s homegrown payment app developed by NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL). The integration enables BHIM App users to securely access, view, and track their CIBIL Score and key credit information directly within the app, empowering them with greater visibility of their credit health. Aligned with regulatory guidelines, the integration follows a customer consent-based model where credit information is accessed only after the user’s approval, ensuring transparency and control.

TransUnion CIBIL and NBSL are two premier institutions that are important to India’s financial and digital payments ecosystem. By embedding the CIBIL Score into the BHIM App, the integration places credit awareness alongside everyday financial activities. This enables consumers to make more informed financial decisions by accessing trusted credit information conveniently and securely in a familiar environment.

The BHIM Payments App is designed to support users in managing their everyday financial needs. Built for Indian users, it supports 15+ Indian languages and offers a simple, easy to navigate interface, making it accessible across urban, rural, and semi urban regions. It already enables users to manage money through features like Split Expenses, Family Mode, Spends Analytics, and Action Needed reminders. With the addition of the CIBIL Score, BHIM takes this a step further by helping users not just transact but also stay informed about their credit profile.

Commenting on the association, Mr. Bhavesh Jain, MD and CEO, TransUnion CIBIL, said: “Credit awareness and credit inclusion are at the centre of a strong and resilient credit ecosystem. The BHIM Payments App will enable CIBIL Score and Credit Information Report to be easily accessible to its millions of users. As India moves from a largely transactional approach towards credit to a more carefully planned one, this is an important step in our consumer awareness journey. It supports the development of a better informed, empowered and inclusive credit environment, in keeping with our purpose of driving ‘Information for Good’.”

Lalitha Nataraj, MD & CEO, NPCI BHIM Services Ltd, said: “BHIM Payments App has been built with a clear focus on simplicity and user control. Through our collaboration with TransUnion CIBIL, we are extending this approach to credit awareness, enabling users to access their CIBIL Score easily within the BHIM App. This is a step towards helping users make more informed financial decisions as part of their everyday journeys.”

The feature is live on BHIM Payments App version 4.0.19 and above.

About TransUnion CIBIL

India’s pioneer information and insights company, TransUnion CIBIL, makes trust possible by ensuring each person and business entity is reliably represented in the marketplace. We do this by providing an actionable view of consumers and businesses, stewarded with care.

We have developed technology and innovative solutions across core credit, risk and advanced analytics. As a result, consumers and businesses can transact with confidence and achieve great things. We call this Information for Good® — and it leads to economic opportunity, great experiences, and personal empowerment for millions of people and commercial entities in India.

We serve the financial sector as well as commercial entities and individual consumers. Our customers in India include banks, credit institutions, NBFCs, housing finance companies, microfinance companies, telecom companies and insurance firms.

For more information visit www.transunioncibil.com.

About NPCI BHIM Services Limited:

NPCI BHIM Services Limited (NBSL) was incorporated in 2024, as a wholly owned subsidiary of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). NBSL aims to enhance the adoption of digital payments through the Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) platform and committed to providing a seamless, secure, and user-friendly payment experience to individuals and businesses across India.

NBSL facilitates quick and efficient digital transactions, offering an accessible and reliable payment solution for all. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, NBSL aims to drive financial inclusion and support India’s journey toward becoming a fully digital economy.

For more information, visit https://www.bhimupi.org.in/.

PayU’s inFINity 3.0 Accelerator Shortlists 30 Startups, Unlocks Prosus Impact Grants for Financial Inclusion

PayU’s flagship fintech accelerator, inFINity 3.0, has leveled up to fuel the growth of fintech startups solving digital and financial inclusion challenges across India. The inFINity 3.0 cohort will be invited to co-create projects within the Prosus ecosystem and apply for impact grants of up to USD 25,000.

Announced in February 2026, inFINity 3.0 is the third edition of PayU’s fintech accelerator programme designed to help early-stage fintech startups transition from product build to market-ready, scalable businesses through a structured acceleration journey. The initiative drew strong interest from across the ecosystem, with over 600 applications. Following a highly competitive selection process, 30 promising fintech startups have been shortlisted to be part of the inFINity 3.0 cohort.

Startups focused on advancing digital and financial inclusion across underserved segments will have an opportunity to be eligible for impact grants from Prosus. Grants are available for innovations across four key areas:

• Women-led innovations - addressing gaps in credit, savings, healthcare, and safety
• Solutions for gig and informal workers - enabling income stability, credit access, and financial resilience. 
• Sustainability-led models - promoting long-term financial health and responsible growth
• Intersectional impact solutions – addressing multiple underserved segments such as women gig workers, rural entrepreneurs, and climate-vulnerable communities.

“India’s fintech ecosystem is at a pivotal moment, where innovation must translate into real, inclusive impact. Through our support to PayU’s inFINity 3.0, we aim to support founders who are building scalable impact solutions that expand access to digital and financial services for underserved communities within our ecosystem. Our focus is on enabling long-term, sustainable impact through capital, mentorship, and ecosystem access,” said Prajna Khanna, Chief Sustainability Officer, Prosus Group and Naspers Limited.

"Over the three editions, inFINity has grown into more than just a fintech accelerator - it's become our way of backing founders solving high-impact problems that truly matter. We're incredibly proud of this evolution", said Anirban Mukherjee, CEO, PayU. “By combining capital with ecosystem access, we aim to enable startups to build scalable solutions that can drive meaningful financial inclusion”

InFINity 3.0 will culminate in a Bootcamp and Demo Day in Bengaluru on April 22-23, 2026, bringing together founders, investors, and industry leaders.

The selected cohort in inFINity 3.0 will benefit from structured access to PayU’s payments infrastructure, merchant ecosystem, and banking partners, enabling faster pilots and real-world validation. The programme also includes mentorship from PayU leaders, fintech founders, and domain experts, along with exposure to investors and ecosystem enablers.

About PayU

PayU, India's leading diversified fintech platform with Prosus as an investor, operates businesses that are regulated by the Reserve Bank of India and offers advanced solutions to meet the digital financial services needs of customers (merchants, banks, and consumers).

PayU provides payment gateway solutions to online businesses through its cutting-edge and award-winning technology and has empowered 4.5 lakhs+ businesses, including India’s leading enterprises, e-commerce giants and SMBs. It enables businesses to collect digital payments across 100+ online payment methods such as Credit Cards, Debit Cards, Net Banking, EMIs, pay-later, QR, UPI, Wallets, and more. It’s a preferred partner in the affordability ecosystem, offering the maximum coverage of issuers and easy-to-implement integrations across card-based EMIs, pay-later options, and new-age cardless EMIs. PayU offers e-commerce brands with best-in-industry success rates while ensuring a seamless checkout experience.

India’s First 3D Chip Packaging Unit Launched in Odisha, Marking a Semiconductor Breakthrough

India has laid the foundation stone for its first advanced 3D chip packaging unit at Info Valley, Bhubaneswar, marking a historic leap in the country’s semiconductor ambitions and positioning Odisha as a future-ready technology hub.

Key Highlights of the Project

• Location: Info Valley, Bhubaneswar, Odisha
• Investment: ₹1,943.53 crore (₹799 crore central support + ₹399.5 crore state support)
• Promoter: 3D Glass Solutions Inc. (USA) via Heterogeneous Integration Packaging Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
• Production Capacity: 70,000 glass panels annually, 50 million assembled units, 13,000 advanced 3DHI modules
• Timeline: Commercial production by August 2028, full-scale operations by August 2030

Strategic Importance

• National Milestone: First 3D glass substrate packaging facility in India, reducing dependence on imports
• Odisha’s Role: Already home to India’s first compound semiconductor fabrication unit
• Global Context: Linked to technologies from Intel, Lockheed Martin, and Applied Materials
• Sectoral Impact: Products will power AI, high-performance computing, defence electronics, telecommunications, aerospace, and photonics

Leaders’ Statements

• CM Mohan Charan Majhi: Called it a “historic milestone” for Odisha and India
• Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw: Highlighted India’s rapid growth in electronics manufacturing; India is now the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer
• State IT Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling: Emphasized Odisha’s IT, AI, GCC and Semiconductor Policies 2025 and skill development initiatives

Comparative Context

Factor	Odisha Project	India’s Semiconductor Mission
Investment	₹1,943 crore	Multiple projects across states
Technology	3D glass substrate packaging	Fab units, ATMP facilities
Output	70,000 panels, 50M units	Varies by project
Global Links	3D Glass Solutions (USA)	Intel, Micron, Vedanta partnerships
Timeline	2028–2030	Staggered across 2026–2032

Why It Matters

• Boosts Atmanirbhar Bharat: Strengthens India’s domestic semiconductor ecosystem
• Employment: Thousands of jobs for engineers, diploma holders, and ITI graduates
• Odisha’s Transformation: From resource-based economy to technology-led growth centre
• Global Demand: Bookings for plant output already in place

This project cements Odisha’s place in India’s semiconductor roadmap, aligning with the national vision of self-reliance in high-end electronics manufacturing.

Union Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw congratulated the people of Odisha on the landmark initiative and appreciated the support extended by the State Government.

Highlighting the country’s progress in electronics manufacturing, Shri Vaishnaw said production in the sector has grown six-fold over the past 12 years. “India has now become the world’s second-largest mobile phone manufacturer and emerged as the leading exporter of mobile phones in 2025”, he added.

He further informed that two semiconductor projects have already been approved for Odisha under the India Semiconductor Mission, while three more electronics and semiconductor-related proposals are in the pipeline. “Discussions are also underway with major global companies, including Intel for future investments in the state,” he mentioned.

India’s Hyperloop Goals to Touch World Record

India is racing toward a transportation revolution, with hyperloop technology at the center of its ambitions. From building Asia’s longest hyperloop test tube to placing the world’s first live commercial order for hyperloop‑based cargo logistics, the country is positioning itself as a global leader in high‑speed, carbon‑neutral mobility.

Asia’s Longest Hyperloop Tube

• Location: IIT Madras, Chennai
• Length: 410 meters (1,345 feet) — currently the longest hyperloop test tube in Asia
• Technology: Developed entirely with indigenous engineering and materials
• Purpose: A test facility for pods designed to travel at speeds exceeding 1,000 km/h (621 mph)
• Global Standing: With planned extensions, IIT Madras could soon host the world’s longest hyperloop test track

This achievement underscores India’s commitment to self‑reliance in advanced transport R&D and sets the stage for real‑world hyperloop deployment.

World’s First Commercial Hyperloop Cargo Order

In January 2026, India made history by placing the world’s first live commercial order for hyperloop‑based cargo logistics. Reported by Urban Transport News, this milestone marks the transition of hyperloop from experimental technology to real‑world logistics deployment.

• Global First: India became the first country to move hyperloop beyond pilot testing into commercial use
• Cargo Focus: The order emphasizes freight logistics, aligning with India’s industrial priorities
• Strategic Leap: This positions India ahead of global competitors in hyperloop adoption
• Policy Backing: The move dovetails with India’s mega mobility plan, which includes hyperloop alongside ropeways, electric rapid transit, and cable cars

India’s Planned Hyperloop Corridors

Mumbai–Pune

• Status: Approved pilot project of 40 km
• Travel Time: Cut from 3 hours to 25 minutes
• Focus: Passenger transport
• Challenges: Land acquisition and high costs (~₹70,000 crore)

Delhi–Mumbai

• Status: Proposal by DGWHyperloop
• Travel Time: Delhi–Mumbai in 80 minutes
• Focus: Freight‑first corridor, enabling cargo delivery at 1,000 km/h
• Impact: Could transform logistics across India’s busiest industrial belt

Bengaluru–Chennai

• Status: Early‑stage proposal
• Travel Time: ~350 km journey reduced to 30 minutes
• Focus: Passenger transport linking two tech hubs

📊 Global Context

Location	Length	Status	Notes
IIT Madras, India	410 m	Longest in Asia	Indigenous tech
USA (Virgin Hyperloop, Nevada)	~500 m	Test track	Private‑led
Switzerland (Swisspod)	~200 m	Operational	European R&D
Spain (Zeleros)	~100 m	Prototype	Scalable design

⚠️ Possible Challenges

• Cost: Projects often exceed ₹50,000–70,000 crore
• Safety: Passenger safety at extreme speeds remains unproven globally
• Policy Framework: India needs a dedicated hyperloop certification and regulatory system
• Global Competition: The US, UAE, and Europe are also advancing hyperloop R&D

Strategic Outlook

India’s hyperloop journey is no longer just conceptual—it’s moving into commercial reality. With Asia’s longest test tube operational, a pilot corridor approved, ambitious freight‑first proposals, and the world’s first commercial hyperloop cargo order, India is aiming not just to catch up but to set world records in hyperloop deployment.

If successful, these projects could redefine how people and goods move across the subcontinent, making India a global hub for futuristic transport innovation.