India Launches NIDAR 2.0: Drone Innovation Challenge Powered by Indigenous VEGA Processor

India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with Drone Federation of India (DFI), has launched NIDAR 2.0 (2026–27), the second edition of the National Innovation Challenge for Drone Application and Research. The initiative, under the SwaYaan programme, focuses on building autonomous drones powered by India’s indigenous VEGA processor, marking a major step toward self-reliance in drone technology.

The VEGA processor is India’s first fully indigenous family of high‑performance microprocessors, developed by C‑DAC under MeitY’s Digital India RISC‑V (DIR‑V) programme. It is based on the open‑source RISC‑V architecture and designed to reduce dependence on foreign chip designs while powering strategic, industrial, and commercial applications.

The first edition of NIDAR (2025–26), launched in March 2025, attracted 3,448 students from 22 States, 4 Union Territories, and 109 cities. Participants developed autonomous drone solutions for Disaster Management and Precision Agriculture. Out of 93 teams that reached the Grand Finale, 24 teams emerged winners, sharing prizes worth ₹40 lakh.

Building on this success, NIDAR 2.0 raises the bar. The focus now shifts from conventional airframes to autonomous systems, indigenous avionics, and core drone components. The challenge is structured across two distinct tracks, encouraging innovation in both drone applications and component design.

Launch Details

• Date & Venue: July 13, 2026, at Electronics Niketan, New Delhi, in hybrid mode.
• Organizers: MeitY and DFI under the SwaYaan initiative.
• Key Officials: Shri S. Krishnan (Secretary, MeitY), Shri Amitesh Kumar Sinha (Additional Secretary, MeitY & CEO, India Semiconductor Mission), Smt. Tulika Pandey (Scientist G, MeitY), Shri Smit Shah (President, DFI).
• Participants: Students, faculty, government representatives, industry leaders, and officials from Civil Aviation, Defence, Home Affairs, DGCA, and armed forces.

Objectives of NIDAR 2.0

• From flying drones to building the drone’s brain: Focus on autonomous systems and indigenous avionics.
• Powered by VEGA processor: Developed under the Digital India RISC-V (DIR-V) programme, reducing dependence on foreign chip designs.
• Prize pool: Over ₹65 lakh, plus internships, incubation support, and cloud credits.
• Tracks:
  • Track 1 – Drone Innovation: Autonomous swarm drones for disaster relief and GPS-denied drones for industrial inspection.
  • Track 2 – Component Innovation: Indigenous flight controllers and autopilots built around VEGA processors.

NIDAR 1.0 vs NIDAR 2.0

NIDAR 2025-26	NIDAR 2.0 (2026-27)
3,448 students from 22 States, 4 UTs, 109 cities	Expanded scope with focus on indigenous avionics
Themes: Disaster Management & Precision Agriculture	Themes: Swarm drones, GPS-denied navigation, VEGA-based autopilot
93 teams reached Grand Finale	Top 100 teams to receive VEGA kits
₹40 lakh prize pool	₹65+ lakh prize pool + internships & incubation

Strategic Significance

• Self-Reliance: Embedding VEGA processors in drones strengthens India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
• Civilian & Defence Applications: Shared core technologies benefit both sectors.
• Capacity Building: SwaYaan initiative has already trained over 51,000 people in drone technologies.
• Global Positioning: Positions India as a hub for drone innovation, reducing reliance on imported avionics.

Challenges Ahead

• Scaling indigenous chip adoption: Ensuring VEGA processors match global performance standards.
• Industry integration: Moving prototypes into commercial production requires strong incubation and funding.
• Global competition: India must balance innovation with international regulatory frameworks for drones.

Conclusion

NIDAR 2.0 represents a transformative leap in India’s drone ecosystem, shifting focus from airframes to autonomous intelligence and indigenous components. By centering innovation around the VEGA processor, MeitY and DFI are laying the foundation for a self-reliant drone industry that can serve both civilian and defence needs, aligning with the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat @2047.

India’s MeitY Summons Meta Over Instagram Ads Promoting Child Exploitation

India’s IT Ministry (MeitY) has reportedly summoned Meta after a BBC investigation revealed that Instagram carried paid ads in India promoting child sexual abuse material (CSAM), linking users to Telegram channels selling such content. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has directed officials to demand a formal explanation from Meta.

The BBC World Service investigation, published on July 3, alleged that Instagram’s recommendation systems began surfacing sexually explicit content before serving paid advertisements containing terms such as “rape video” and “child video.”

MeitY will seek an explanation from Meta on the issue and the steps the company has taken to address it, said reports by several media outlets.

MeitY Summons Meta Over Instagram Ads Promoting CSAM

What Happened

• BBC Investigation – Found ~30 paid ads on Instagram using explicit terms like “rape video” and “child video”, redirecting users to Telegram channels selling CSAM for as little as ₹99.
• Ads Passed Review – Despite Meta’s ad moderation systems, these ads were approved and shown to Indian users.
• Government Action – MeitY will ask Meta how such ads cleared review, what safeguards exist, and what corrective steps were taken.

Government Response

• Summons Issued – Meta executives will be required to explain their ad‑screening mechanisms.
• Legal Framework – Under India’s IT rules, intermediaries must act against harmful content, especially child exploitation.
• Policy Push – The Centre is tightening accountability for platforms on issues like CSAM, deepfakes, obscene material, and cyber‑enabled abuse.

Meta’s Position

• Zero Tolerance Policy – Meta claims it does not allow CSAM in ads or posts.
• AI Detection – Uses advanced AI to proactively detect violating content, but admits criminals hide among its 3.5 billion users.
• Actions Taken – Disabled multiple ads and accounts, blocked violating URLs, and pledged to strengthen defenses.

Risks & Challenges

• Systemic Gaps – Ads are expected to undergo stricter pre‑publication review than posts, raising questions about Meta’s safeguards.
• Criminal Exploitation – Organized groups exploit loopholes in moderation systems to spread CSAM.
• Global Concern – Highlights the difficulty of policing harmful content at scale across billions of users.

Why It Matters for India

• Child Safety – Reinforces India’s stance on protecting children from online exploitation.
• Platform Accountability – Signals stronger enforcement of IT rules against global tech firms.
• Policy Direction – May accelerate India’s push for an independent AI regulation law to address online harms.

India Launches VYOMA Challenge to Drive Multilingual Edge AI Innovation

India has launched the VYOMA Innovation Challenge to accelerate multilingual, voice‑first AI solutions that work offline, aiming to strengthen digital inclusion across diverse languages and regions. The initiative offers prizes worth up to ₹80 lakh and deployment opportunities with government departments.

The challenge has been launched by the Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD), under the Digital India Corporation (DIC), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with Current AI and Kalpa Impact.

The challenge builds on Sunno Sutra, a multilingual, voice-first, open-source handheld AI reference device jointly developed by BHASHINI and Current AI and unveiled at the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026. Designed as a reference platform, Sunno Sutra combines multilingual language technologies with on-device AI capabilities, enabling conversational AI experiences across Indian languages without dependence on cloud infrastructure.

Launch of VYOMA Innovation Challenge

• Organizers: Digital India BHASHINI Division (MeitY), in collaboration with Current AI and Kalpa Impact.
• Objective: Promote open‑source, multilingual, voice‑first AI that functions in low‑connectivity or offline environments.
• Foundation: Builds on Sunno Sutra, a handheld multilingual AI device unveiled at the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026.

Key Features

• Multilingual AI Infrastructure: Supports 36 Indian text languages, 23 voice languages, and 35 international languages.
• Offline Capability: Delivers conversational AI without cloud dependency, ensuring accessibility in rural and remote areas.
• Public Impact: Functions as digital public infrastructure, enabling inclusive access to services across India’s linguistic diversity.

Participation & Incentives

• Who Can Apply: Startups, MSMEs, researchers, students, academic institutions, and independent innovators.
• Support:
  • 20 shortlisted teams will receive developer kits and mentorship.
  • Finalists will present prototypes to an expert jury.
• Rewards: Winning teams eligible for ₹80 lakh in prizes and deployment opportunities with central and state governments.

Potential Applications

• Education: AI‑driven multilingual learning tools for schools in rural India.
• Healthcare: Voice‑enabled diagnostic and advisory systems in local languages.
• Agriculture: Offline AI assistants for farmers, offering crop and weather guidance.
• Governance: Citizen‑centric services accessible in native languages.

Strategic Impact

Focus Area	Benefit	Global Relevance
Digital Inclusion	Expands access to AI in low‑resource settings	Model for emerging economies
Multilingual AI	Supports 36 Indian + 35 global languages	Strengthens cross‑border collaboration
Offline AI	Works without internet/cloud	Critical for rural connectivity gaps
Open Source	Encourages innovation ecosystem	Aligns with global open‑tech movement

Challenges

• Hardware Optimization: Devices must be smaller, more efficient, and field‑ready.
• Scalability: Ensuring solutions can handle millions of users daily.
• Collaboration: Requires strong partnerships between startups, academia, and government.

Global Positioning

• India’s VYOMA Challenge positions the country as a leader in multilingual, offline AI innovation.
• Provides a blueprint for inclusive digital ecosystems worldwide.
• Reflects India’s ambition to make AI a public‑impact infrastructure, not just a commercial technology.

India Notifies Online Gaming Rules to Regulate Money Games, Boost E‑Sports

India has officially notified the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026, which will come into effect on May 1, 2026. These rules operationalize the PROG Act, 2025, creating the Online Gaming Authority of India as a digital-first regulator to curb online money games while promoting e-sports and social gaming.

Section 19 of the Act empowers the Central Government to make rules to carry out its provisions. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), as the nodal Ministry, has accordingly prepared the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Rules, 2026, which will come into force on 1st May, 2026. The Rules have been finalised after extensive inter-Ministerial consultations and vetting by the Department of Legal Affairs.

Key Highlights of the Online Gaming Rules, 2026l

Legislative Background

• Parent Act: Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, 2025, enacted in August 2025
• Objective: Safeguard citizens from predatory money gaming platforms while enabling India’s growth as a global hub for e-sports and innovation

Online Gaming Authority of India (OGAI)

• Structure: Attached office of MeitY, headquartered in Delhi
• Composition: Chaired by Additional Secretary, MeitY; members include Joint Secretaries from Home Affairs, Finance, I&B, Sports, and Legal Affairs
• Functions:
  • Maintain and publish list of prohibited online money games
  • Conduct inquiries, issue directions, and codes of practice
  • Hear appeals against service providers’ grievance decisions
  • Coordinate with banks, payment systems, and law enforcement for enforcement

Determination of Online Games

• Classification Test: Rule 9 sets objective factors—payment of stakes, expectation of monetary winnings, revenue model, and monetisation of in-game assets
• Process: Triggered by Authority, service providers, or government notification
• Timeline: Determination to be completed within 90 days
• Outcome: Specific determination order for each game and provider

Registration & Compliance

• Mandatory Registration: Required for e-sports and notified categories of social games
• Certificate of Registration: Digital, valid up to 10 years
• Conditions: Providers must display determination/registration details, designate contact points, and comply with payment facilitation directions

User Safety Features

• Mandatory Safeguards: Age verification, parental controls, time restrictions, fair-play monitoring, counselling support, and grievance mechanisms
• Disclosure: Service providers must declare safety features at the time of application

Grievance Redressal & Appeals

• Two-Tier System:
  • First appeal to the Online Gaming Authority
  • Second appeal to the Secretary, MeitY
• Timelines: Each stage to be resolved within 30 days

Penalties & Enforcement

• Digital Proceedings: Conducted online unless physical presence is necessary
• Proportionate Penalties: Based on gain from non-compliance, harm to users, recurrence, and mitigation efforts
• Financial Oversight: Banks and payment systems must block transactions linked to prohibited money games

Policy Objectives

• Protect citizens, especially children, from addictive and predatory gaming
• Provide regulatory certainty with clear criteria and timelines
• Safeguard financial systems by cutting off illegal gaming transactions
• Enable coordinated enforcement across ministries, regulators, and states
• Uphold user rights with grievance redressal and statutory appeals

Summary

The Online Gaming Rules, 2026 mark a decisive step in India’s digital governance—balancing innovation in e-sports with strict safeguards against online money games. This framework positions India as a global gaming hub while protecting vulnerable users from financial and psychological harm.

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.

India’s Supabase Disruption: Ripple Effects on the Startup Ecosystem

On February 24, 2026, India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology ordered internet service providers to block access to Supabase, the popular open-source backend-as-a-service platform. The move, executed under Section 69A of the IT Act, has left thousands of developers and startups scrambling for alternatives. While the government has not yet clarified its rationale, the disruption is already sending shockwaves through India’s tech ecosystem.

India is considered one of Supabase’s fastest‑growing developer markets, with thousands of startups, independent developers, and enterprises relying on it for backend services.

Following the block, developers reported that thousands of apps went down, startups lost paying customers, student projects broke, and production systems were at risk.

While exact numbers of Supabase usage in India aren’t published, Supabase’s adoption in India is significant enough that the disruption was described as a major blow to the developer community, highlighting its widespread use in education, early‑stage ventures, and production environments.  

The blocking order was issued on February 24, 2026, under Section 69A of the IT Act, which empowers the government to restrict public access to online content. Supabase’s domain (supabase.co) became inaccessible across major ISPs like Jio, Airtel, and ACT. The company confirmed its infrastructure remains fully operational globally, but Indian users are being blocked at the DNS level.

Supabase has publicly reached out to IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on X (formerly Twitter), requesting clarity and a discussion with his team.

According to reporting, the government has not cited a specific reason for the block. Analysts suggest it could be linked to cybersecurity concerns, copyright disputes, or other regulatory issues, but nothing has been confirmed.  

Supabase: A Critical Tool for Developers

• Early-stage startups seeking cost-effective backend infrastructure.
• Independent developers building prototypes and MVPs.
• Enterprises experimenting with open-source alternatives to Firebase and AWS Amplify.

Its sudden unavailability in India is more than a technical inconvenience—it’s a strategic setback for a country positioning itself as a global innovation hub.

Immediate Fallout

• Startups face downtime: Many ventures dependent on Supabase for authentication, database hosting, and APIs are experiencing service interruptions.
• Costs rise: Migrating to alternatives like Firebase or AWS Amplify often means higher expenses, eroding the lean operating models of early-stage companies.
• Developer frustration: Social media is flooded with complaints from India’s developer community, highlighting both productivity losses and uncertainty about future access.

Ripple Effects on the Ecosystem

1. Investor Confidence

Unpredictable regulatory actions create a trust deficit. Venture capitalists may hesitate to fund startups reliant on foreign developer tools, fearing sudden disruptions.

2. Talent Migration

Developers may increasingly seek remote opportunities abroad or even relocate to countries with more stable digital policies. This risks a brain drain from India’s thriving tech talent pool.

3. Rise of Alternatives

• Global competitors: Firebase, AWS Amplify, and Hasura (ironically founded in India) stand to gain.
• Domestic platforms: Indian SaaS providers may see a surge in adoption, though questions remain about scalability and global integration.

4. Innovation Slowdown

Access to cutting-edge open-source tools fuels experimentation. Blocking Supabase could slow product launches and reduce India’s competitiveness in global tech markets.

Policy Signal: Digital Sovereignty?

Some analysts interpret the move as part of India’s broader push for digital sovereignty—encouraging reliance on homegrown platforms over foreign ones. While this aligns with national security and self-reliance goals, the lack of transparency risks alienating the very developer community driving India’s startup boom.

The Road Ahead

Supabase has reached out to Indian authorities for clarification, but until access is restored, startups must adapt quickly. Whether this disruption is temporary or part of a larger policy shift, the incident underscores a critical tension: India’s ambition to be a global tech leader versus its unpredictable regulatory environment.

Supabase vs. Alternatives: What Indian Developers Can Pivot To

Feature / Platform	Supabase	Firebase (Google)	AWS Amplify	Hasura
Core Offering	Open-source backend-as-a-service (Postgres DB, auth, APIs)	Proprietary backend-as-a-service (NoSQL DB, auth, hosting)	Full-stack cloud backend (GraphQL, APIs, storage, hosting)	GraphQL engine on Postgres
Database	PostgreSQL	Firestore (NoSQL)	DynamoDB (NoSQL) or RDS	PostgreSQL
Pricing	Free tier + usage-based	Free tier + usage-based, can get expensive	Pay-as-you-go AWS pricing	Open-source + enterprise support
Ease of Use	Developer-friendly, SQL-based	Easy onboarding, strong docs	Steeper learning curve, AWS ecosystem complexity	Requires DB setup, but powerful
Open Source	Yes	No	No	Yes
Scalability	High, Postgres scaling	High, Google Cloud infra	Very high, AWS infra	High, depending on DB setup
Community Support	Growing global open-source community	Large, mature ecosystem	Enterprise-heavy, AWS developer base	Strong open-source community
Best For	Startups, indie devs, rapid prototyping	Consumer apps, mobile-first startups	Enterprise-grade apps, complex infra	API-first startups, advanced dev teams

Takeaway

India’s Supabase block is more than a technical hiccup—it’s a stress test for the resilience of its startup ecosystem. How the government and developers respond will shape not just immediate productivity, but the long-term credibility of India as a global innovation hub.

MeitY Launches ₹50 Lakh Blockchain India Challenge to Drive Digital Governance Innovation

Blockchain India Challenge, launched by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in February 2026, is a national initiative designed to accelerate blockchain-based digital governance solutions. Here’s a clear breakdown:

Key Highlights

• Organizer: MeitY in collaboration with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC).
• Launch Date & Venue: February 23, 2026, New Delhi.
• Objective: Harness blockchain and Web3 innovation to improve citizen-centric digital governance services.

Competition Structure

• Prototype Stage
  • Prize: ₹1.5 lakh each
  • Up to 40 participants
• Minimum Viable Product (MVP) Stage
  • Prize: ₹4 lakh each
  • Up to 30 participants
• Deployment Stage
  • Prize: ₹10 lakh each
  • Up to 20 participants

🏆 Grand Winners: ₹50 lakh each, across 10 use case categories.

Focus Areas

• Citizen-centric solutions for governance
• Transparency and efficiency in public services
• Leveraging blockchain for secure, scalable, and trusted digital platforms

Why It Matters

• This initiative positions India as a global leader in blockchain adoption for governance.
• Empowers startups to pilot real-world solutions that could redefine how citizens interact with government services.
• It’s not just about tech—it’s about trust, accountability, and innovation in public systems.

The details are available at https://challenge.cdac.in

Bihar to Become National AI Hub: Tiger Analytics Signs Landmark MoU for Mega AI CoE with IIT Patna

Tiger Analytics, a global leader in AI and advanced analytics consulting, today announced the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Bihar at the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, organized by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The partnership aims to establish one of India’s largest Artificial Intelligence Centres of Excellence (AI CoE) in Bihar. The MoU was signed in the presence of senior government officials and industry leaders, marking a defining moment in Bihar's transformation into a national hub for AI innovations.

The Mega AI Centre of Excellence in Bihar marks an important step toward building a self-sustaining AI ecosystem that empowers talent, drives innovation, and creates long-term societal impact. The AI CoE will be developed in collaboration with IIT Patna (knowledge partner) and a consortium of key ecosystem stakeholders, with a shared vision of accelerating AI-led innovation, strengthening talent capabilities, and enabling AI adoption across government, academia and industry. It will serve as a hub for AI research, infrastructure development, citizen services and most critically, large-scale AI upskilling, equipping students, professionals and institutions across the state with capabilities needed to thrive in an AI-enabled economy.

As the designated Industry Partner, Tiger Analytics will contribute its global AI expertise to the Centre's core mandate: designing and delivering large-scale AI upskilling programmes for students, professionals, and government officials across Bihar; undertaking applied research in areas of direct relevance to the state's development priorities; and developing scalable, responsible AI solutions for public institutions and governance.

Speaking at the occasion of signing the agreement as the Industry partner for the Mega AI CoE at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Dr. Mahesh Kumar, CEO and Founder of Tiger Analytics, said, "Bihar has always been a land of intellectual heritage, and we believe it is ready to become a beacon of AI-led transformation. Our work with the Government of Bihar through the Mega AI Centre of Excellence is rooted in building real capability - in research, in upskilling, and in deployment - so that AI becomes a genuine engine of progress for Bihar and a model for the rest of India. This partnership provides the ideal platform to demonstrate what purposeful collaboration between government, academia and industry can achieve.”

Hon’ble Minister of Information Technology, Government of Bihar, Ms. Shreyasi Singh, added "The Bihar AI Mission is our commitment to ensuring that the benefits of artificial intelligence reach every corner of our state. The Mega AI CoE represents our resolve to position Bihar at the forefront of India's AI journey - not as a recipient of technology, but as a contributor to it. With partners like Tiger Analytics, we are building an ecosystem that will drive AI upskilling at scale and generate real impact across governance and industry."

As part of the AI Impact Expo held alongside the summit, Tiger Analytics participated at the Bihar Pavillion (Bihar Government’s booth), highlighting how AI can be applied at scale across public systems, supported by the company’s expertise in data engineering, advanced analytics, machine learning, and AI solution development.

As India accelerates its AI journey, Tiger Analytics continues to partner with institutions and governments to translate AI’s promise into real-world progress.

About Tiger Analytics

Tiger Analytics is a global leader in AI and analytics, helping Fortune 1000 companies solve their toughest challenges. We offer full-stack AI and analytics services & solutions to empower businesses to achieve real outcomes and value at scale. We are on a mission to push the boundaries of what AI and analytics can do to help enterprises navigate uncertainty and move forward decisively. Our purpose is to provide certainty to shape a better tomorrow. Our team of 6000+ technologists and consultants are based in the US, Canada, the UK, India, Singapore, and Australia, working closely with clients across CPG, Retail, Insurance, BFS, Manufacturing, Life Sciences, and Healthcare. Many of our team leaders rank in the Top 10 and 40 Under 40 lists, exemplifying our dedication to innovation and excellence. We are a Great Place to Work-Certified™ (2022-24), recognized by analyst firms such as Forrester, Gartner, HFS, Everest, ISG, and others. We have been ranked among the ‘Best’ and ‘Fastest Growing’ analytics firms lists by Inc., Financial Times, Economic Times, and Analytics India Magazine.

L&T Vyoma and SRIT India Partner to Launch Sovereign Cloud for GovTech, Healthcare & Telecom

Larsen & Toubro-Vyoma, the AI-ready cloud and hyperscale data centre business vertical of L&T, has entered a strategic partnership with SRIT India Ltd, a Bengaluru-based IT solutions provider with expertise in large-scale e-health, e- governance, telecom and mission-critical systems.

With this collaboration, SRIT will introduce SRIT Cloud, a sovereign, India-localised cloud platform powered by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology-compliant infrastructure from Vyoma. The solution is designed to meet the stringent requirements of public, joint and private sector entities in areas such as national security, governance, healthcare and telecom — ensuring data sovereignty, high availability and operational trust.

The partnership enables SRIT to offer a fully integrated application-to-infrastructure stack, powered by Vyoma’s sovereign cloud and hyperscale capabilities. They will deliver responsive scalability for high-growth digital public services, integrated support across applications and infrastructure, reduced downtime, improved performance for mission- critical systems and faster deployment of SRIT’s proven platforms in e-health, urban governance, intelligent transport management system and telecom.

SRIT will make its entire suite of platforms — including its Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and National Accreditation Board for Hospitals-certified E-Health System — available on a SaaS model, enabling hospitals, clinics, laboratories and government institutions to adopt these solutions at lower cost and complexity.

Similarly, SRIT’s flagship GovTech applications — such as automated building plan approvals, municipal governance, fire permit systems and smart transport platforms — will now be offered on SaaS, PaaS and IaaS through SRIT Cloud powered by Vyoma.

Commenting on the collaboration, Seema Ambastha, Chief Executive – Larsen & Toubro- Vyoma, said: “This partnership combines our sovereign cloud infrastructure with SRIT’s proven expertise in GovTech and HealthTech. Together, we are enabling secure, high- performance cloud services built in India, for India, thus advancing the nation’s most critical digital missions”.

Dr Madhu Nambiar, Founder & MD – SRIT India Ltd, added: “Partnering with Vyoma gives us a sovereign, high-reliability cloud foundation to deliver integrated solutions with assured performance, faster rollouts and proactive risk mitigation — strengthening our ability to serve millions of citizens and thousands of institutions securely and efficiently”.

As India accelerates adoption of cloud-based governance, digital health ecosystems and citizen platforms, the Vyoma-SRIT collaboration directly supports three national priorities: data sovereignty, high availability and affordable digital transformation. It establishes one of the most comprehensive application + Infrastructure service models for GovTech and HealthTech in the country.

About Larsen & Toubro - Vyoma

Larsen & Toubro-Vyoma is L&T’s sovereign, secure, and integrated AI cloud and hyperscale data centre business, engineered to deliver AI-ready, high-density compute for India and global enterprises. Built on L&T’s legacy of trust, precision and engineering excellence, Vyoma offers sovereign cloud platforms, GPU-as-a-Service, hyperscale colocation and mission-critical digital infrastructure that powers government, BFSI, healthcare, manufacturing and high-compute industries worldwide. Website: https://larsentoubrovyoma.com

About SRIT India Limited

Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Bengaluru, SRIT India Limited is a leading IT solutions provider and systems integrator with deep expertise in E-Health, E-Governance, Intelligent Transport Management Systems, Telecom/MSP and enterprise-grade digital platforms. SRIT’s applications serve governments, state agencies, hospitals, telecom operators and private enterprises across India and international markets. Website: https://www.sritindia.com

India Approves 23 Chip Design Projects Under DLI Scheme to Boost Semiconductor Innovation

India has taken a major step in its semiconductor journey by clearing 23 chip design projects under the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme, part of the ₹76,000 crore Semicon India Programme, reported Business Standard. 

What Is the DLI Scheme?

• Launched in December 2021 as part of the ₹76,000 crore Semicon India Programme.
• Supports startups, MSMEs, and academic institutions in semiconductor design.
• Offers:
  • Up to ₹15 crore per project for prototyping and commercialization.
  • 4–6% incentives on net sales turnover for five years (capped at ₹30 crore).
  • Access to Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools and IP cores.

Approved Chip Design Projects Under India’s DLI Scheme

While the full list of all 23 projects hasn’t been publicly disclosed, several key initiatives and companies have been highlighted by MeitY and media reports.

Notable Approved Projects

Company	Project Focus	Timeline
Vervesemi Microelectronics	ICs for weighing scales, bridge sensors, smart energy meters, BLDC motor controllers, EV/drone motor control, aerospace data acquisition	Sampling between end-2025 and 2026
SiCSem	Silicon carbide-based chip solutions	Details pending
Continental Device India Pvt. Ltd (CDIL)	Legacy and strategic semiconductor components	Details pending
3D Glass Solutions Inc.	Advanced packaging and interconnect technologies	Details pending
ASIP Technologies	System-in-package innovations for compact electronics	Details pending

Approved Projects Snapshot

• Applications include surveillance cameras, energy meters, microprocessor IPs, and networking systems.
• Vervesemi Microelectronics among key beneficiaries, developing:
  • Smart energy metering ASICs
  • Motor-control chips for EVs and drones
  • Data acquisition ICs for aerospace
  • BLDC controller ASICs for appliances

Strategic Impact

Impact Area	Details
Import Substitution	Reduces reliance on foreign chip designs
Job Creation	Thousands of new jobs across six states
Global Competitiveness	Positions India as a chip design leader
Manufacturing Synergy	Aligns with ₹1.6 trillion investment in fab projects under ISM

Why It Matters

• India is transitioning from a chip consumer to a global contributor in semiconductor design.
• The DLI scheme empowers domestic innovation and builds a resilient tech ecosystem.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is the central driving force behind India’s semiconductor design push through the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme. MeitY launched the DLI Scheme in December 2021 as part of the ₹76,000 crore Semicon India Programme to build a robust domestic semiconductor ecosystem.

MeitY has facilitated access to Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools for 72 companies and 278 academic institutions, enabling advanced chip design capabilities.

Through the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), MeitY also oversees manufacturing projects worth ₹1.6 trillion, ensuring synergy between design and production.

India’s Angstrom Ambition: IISc Plots Atomic Leap in Post-Silicon Chip Race

Angstrom-scale semiconductor chips are the next frontier in miniaturizing electronics—pushing beyond the current 3-nanometer (nm) technology into the realm of angstroms, where 1 angstrom equals just 0.1 nm.

To put that in perspective: if today’s most advanced chips are like a grain of rice, angstrom-scale chips are like a single grain of salt. These chips aim to pack more transistors into a smaller space, dramatically boosting performance while reducing power consumption.

Since traditional silicon struggles at such tiny scales, researchers are turning to 2D materials like graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). These materials are just one atom thick, yet they offer exceptional conductivity, flexibility, and thermal stability—perfect for building ultra-efficient chips.

India is quietly preparing to leapfrog into the future of semiconductors—and it’s not just chasing nanometers anymore. It’s going angstrom-deep.

In a bold proposal, a 30-member team from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has pitched a ₹500-crore, 5-year mission to craft angstrom-scale semiconductor chips, venturing where even 3nm technology begins to fade. These chips, which measure in tenths of a nanometer, are set to defy the limits of traditional silicon, aiming for devices that are faster, cooler, and up to 10x smaller.

It is to be noted that this angstrom-scale chip initiative echoes the momentum we saw back in April 2025, when India’s semiconductor ambitions were making headlines for multiple reasons. In that month, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that India’s first Made-in-India semiconductor chip would be ready by the end of 2025.

This proposal for angstrom-scale chip was first submitted to the Principal Scientific Adviser in 2022, revised in 2024, and now under active review by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY).

India’s Angstrom-Scale Chip Initiative: A Timeline

Year	Milestone	Details
2021	Early Outreach Begins	Initial communication with MeitY, DRDO, DoS, and NITI Aayog regarding 2D semiconductor research.
April 2022	First Proposal Submitted	IISc submits Detailed Project Report to Principal Scientific Adviser focused on angstrom-scale chips.
September 2022	NITI Aayog Endorsement	NITI Aayog endorses the strategic value of the proposed project.
October 2024	Revised Proposal	IISc refines technical and funding roadmap and submits updated report to MeitY.
April 2025	Public Spotlight	Media reveals ₹500 crore proposal to develop chips 10x smaller than current 3nm tech.
June 2025	National Review	Proposal gains traction with MeitY and ANRF amid discussions on cross-sector deployment.

Backed by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), this angstrom-scale chip initiative aligns with the Indian government’s larger push toward next-gen R&D and self-reliance in critical technologies. If greenlit, it could signal India’s emergence as a serious player in the post-silicon era—joining a global race led by the U.S., South Korea, and Taiwan.

Imagine a future where India's edge isn’t just in software, but at the molecular level of hardware. That future might just be a few angstroms away.

India’s angstrom-scale chip initiative and its GPU-powered AI mission are two sides of the same silicon coin—one building the hardware of tomorrow, the other fueling the intelligence of today. Together, they could reshape India’s technological sovereignty across sectors.

How It Ties into IndiaAI’s GPU Push

The IndiaAI Mission has deployed 34,000+ high-performance GPUs to power foundational models, LLMs, and AI applications tailored to Indian languages and needs. But as AI models grow more complex, they demand denser, faster, and more energy-efficient chips—precisely what angstrom-scale semiconductors promise.

By investing in angstrom-scale R&D, India is laying the groundwork for next-gen AI accelerators that could outperform today’s GPUs in speed and efficiency. Imagine training a 120 Billion-parameter LLM not in weeks, but in days—with a fraction of the energy.

Angstrom-scale chips could power ultra-compact, secure edge devices for surveillance, autonomous drones, and encrypted battlefield communications. With DRDO already looped into the IISc proposal, the defense implications are clear: faster, stealthier, smarter systems.

From real-time climate modeling to smart grid optimization, these chips could enable low-power sensors and AI models that run in remote or harsh environments. Think satellite-based carbon tracking or AI-driven disaster prediction—all on chips smaller than a virus.

In diagnostics and wearables, angstrom-scale chips could lead to implantable biosensors, AI-assisted imaging, and personalized medicine. Their low heat and power footprint make them ideal for continuous health monitoring—even inside the body.

In essence, India isn’t just scaling up compute with GPUs—it’s redefining the substrate of intelligence itself. Want to explore how this could position India as a global chip design hub or how it compares to what the U.S. and South Korea are doing?

If successful, angstrom-scale chips could power everything from quantum computers to AI systems, wearables, and space tech, all while using less energy and generating less heat.

IG Drones & VoxelSensors Join Forces to Elevate UAV Navigation in GPS-Denied Zones

IG Drones, a leading Indian drone technology company, has announced a strategic collaboration with Belgian DeepTech pioneer VoxelSensors to integrate next-generation 3D perception systems into its UAV platforms. This partnership is set to transform how drones navigate and operate in GPS-denied and visually complex environments, such as dense forests, urban infrastructure zones, tunnels, and industrial interiors.

At the heart of this partnership lies the integration of VoxelSensors’ SPAES (Streaming Perception for AI Enhanced Systems) technology—renowned for its ultra-low latency and high-precision spatial sensing—with IG Drones’ fleet of intelligent unmanned aerial vehicles. The result is a new generation of drones with advanced environmental awareness, enhanced obstacle avoidance, and higher-fidelity mapping capabilities for infrastructure inspection, emergency response, environmental monitoring, and smart city applications.

Mr Paneerselvam Madanagopal, CEO, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, welcomed the announcement, stating, “This partnership between IG Drones and VoxelSensors marks a significant step forward in the evolution of autonomous aerial technology. By combining India’s deep-rooted commitment to scalable drone solutions with VoxelSensors’ cutting-edge 3D spatial intelligence, we are witnessing the kind of global cooperation that advances innovation in a responsible, civilian-first manner. MeitY supports such collaborations that not only strengthen India’s digital and industrial capabilities but also foster meaningful international partnerships aligned with sustainable and high-impact technological progress.”

“This collaboration truly marks a new chapter for us,” said Mr Sambit Parida, Chief Technology Officer at IG Drones. “By embedding VoxelSensors’ breakthrough 3D sensing technologies into our systems, we’re enabling smarter, safer, and more autonomous drone operations. These capabilities are vital for civilian missions where situational complexity and safety demand real-time perception and adaptive decision-making. We remain committed to our vision of delivering cutting-edge, indigenous drone technologies aligned with India’s broader digital and infrastructure goals.”

The partnership comes at a time when IG Drones is expanding rapidly, with over 200 drones deployed in FY25, a 330% jump in revenue, and the rollout of 50 Drone Centres of Excellence in collaboration with AICTE across India. As the demand for intelligent drone systems increases across sectors—from disaster management to industrial inspection—IG Drones is positioning itself to meet the challenge through global technology collaborations that fuse precision with performance.

Mr Andre Miodezky, President of VoxelSensors, also commented on the partnership: “We’re excited to join forces with IG Drones to bring our sensing innovation into practical, high-impact use cases. Our SPAES technology provides real-time depth perception and motion awareness that empowers UAVs to function reliably, even in visually complex and dynamic environments. This partnership bridges European innovation with India’s drone ecosystem, and together we’re helping shape the future of aerial intelligence.”

Both companies share a commitment to sustainability, safety, and scalability in autonomous systems. By combining VoxelSensors' advanced 3D sensor suite with IG Drones' versatile drone platforms, the collaboration aims to redefine operational efficiency in industries such as energy, infrastructure, urban planning, environmental conservation, and public safety.

This strategic alliance underscores IG Drones’ ongoing journey to become a global leader in unmanned aerial solutions—while reaffirming that innovation, when grounded in collaboration, can push the boundaries of what's possible across borders and industries.

ISRO Achieves Major Milestone With Indigenous Microprocessors for Space Missions

India has achieved a significant milestone in space-grade electronics with the development of two fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessors, VIKRAM3201 and KALPANA3201, designed specifically for ISRO's launch vehicle applications.

On March 5, 2025, the first production lots of the 32-bit microprocessors developed for space applications, VIKRAM3201 & KALPANA3201, were handed over to Dr. V. Narayanan, Secretary, DOS /Chairman, ISRO by Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, in a function organised at New Delhi by the Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL), Chandigarh.

• VIKRAM3201: This is the first fully indigenous, space-qualified 32-bit microprocessor fabricated in India. It supports custom instruction sets, floating-point computation, and high-level language support for Ada. It has already proven its space-worthiness in the PSLV-C60 mission.
• KALPANA3201: Based on the SPARC V8 RISC architecture, this microprocessor is versatile and compatible with open-source software tool sets.

These chips were developed by the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and manufactured at the Semiconductor Laboratory in Chandigarh. They represent a generational leap from the earlier 16-bit processors and mark a step forward in India's self-reliance in critical space technologies.

Notably, VIKRAM1601 was ISRO's first indigenous 16-bit microprocessor, operational in launch vehicle avionics since 2009. A fully "Make-in-India" version was introduced in 2016 after domestic fabrication capabilities matured.

Four other devices that were jointly developed with SCL were also handed over towards significant miniaturisation of the launch vehicle Avionics system. This includes two versions of a Reconfigurable Data Acquisition System (RDAS) integrating multiple indigenously designed 24-bit Sigma-Delta Analog to Digital Converters on a single chip along with a Relay driver Integrated Circuit & a Multi-Channel Low Drop-out Regulator Integrated Circuit for high reliability applications.

7 Colleges Showcase 100+ IPs and Over 50 Technologies in India’s 1st Nano Electronics Roadshow

• MeitY leading India’s semiconductor surge with innovation, 85,000 Skilled workforce and $100 Billion market by 2030: Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY
• Semiconductor roadshow unveils Next-Gen Chip design, Nanoelectronics breakthroughs and celebrates India's revolutionary startups

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in partnership with IISc Bengaluru, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur, and IIT Guwahati, successfully hosted India’s first Nano Electronics Roadshow on March 27, 2025, at the National Science Seminar Complex, IISc Bengaluru.

The Roadshow was inaugurated by Shri S Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, along with Shri Abhishek Singh, Addl. Secretary, MeitY.

This marked a significant milestone in India's vision of a self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem. The roadshow showcased over 100 intellectual properties (IPs), more than 50 groundbreaking technologies, and the innovation of over 35 promising startups—all backed by six state-of-the-art nanoelectronics centers across the country.

The event not only served as a platform for pivotal industry dialogues but also emerged as a hub for collaboration between the startup ecosystem and academia. This synergy aimed to accelerate the journey of cutting-edge technologies from labs to consumers’ reach.

The roadshow also facilitated the signing of 4 MoUs between the academia and the industry, driving partnerships and technological advancements- IISc with KAS Technologies and Antigone Solutions Private Limited, Center for Nano Science and Engineering with India Electronics & Semiconductor Association (IESA), and Madnani Chemdist Novatech LLP with Primary Healthtech Private Limited.

The roadshow represents a significant step forward in India’s semiconductor journey, showcasing the latest breakthroughs in chip design, fabrication, and nanoelectronics. Alongside, it also recognized and rewarded the innovative startups, celebrated for their exceptional contributions and transformative work in the sector.

With this, the event witnessed many startups coming forward and demonstrating technology that can revolutionize the Indian tech ecosystem. This event holds great significance in the semiconductor domain, as it paves the way for the development of more indigenous technologies aimed at addressing critical societal challenges.

Bringing together government officials, industry leaders, researchers, and startups, the event served as a catalyst to shape India’s next big leap in technology and innovation.

Utpal Shah, SVP, Tata Electronics; Anand Ramamoorthy, Micron; Govindan Rangarajan, Director, IISc; and Juzer Vasi, IIT Bombay. Other prominent dignitaries included Dr. V. Narayanan, Chair, ISRO; Rangesh Raghavan, India Head, Lam Research; V. Ramagopal Rao, VC, BITS Pilani; Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, Anusandhan National Research Foundation, also present at the event.

Govt.'s 'Nano Electronics Roadshow' to Showcase Breakthroughs in Quantum Tech, Neuromorphic Computing, AI, Electronics and Indigenous Nanoelectronics Advancements

• MeitY to host 'Nano Electronics Roadshow and Conference on Semiconductor Ecosystem in India' at Bengaluru on March 27, 2025
• Grand roadshow to showcase breakthroughs in quantum technology, neuromorphic computing, AI, IT, electronics and indigenous nanoelectronics advancements

The Nanotechnology Initiatives Division of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, in partnership with IISc Bengaluru, IIT Bombay, IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, IIT Kharagpur, and IIT Guwahati, will be organizing the Nano Electronics Roadshow and Conference on Semiconductor Ecosystem in India. The event is scheduled for March 27, 2025, starting from 9:00 AM onwards at the National Science Seminar Complex, IISc Bengaluru.

This initiative aims to bring together key stakeholders from government, industry, academia, strategic sectors, startups, and the VC ecosystem to drive innovation and collaboration in the segment.

Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, will grace the event as the Chief Guest in the august presence of our Guests of Honour— Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary, MeitY; Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, Anusandhan National Research Foundation; Utpal Shah, Senior VP, Strategy and Business Development, Tata Electronics; Anand Ramamoorthy, Managing Director, Micron; V. Narayanan, Chair, ISRO.

Roadshow on tech innovations

The roadshow will encompass a diverse range of topics, including quantum technology, neuromorphic computing, opportunities in AI, IT, and electronics, as well as a showcase of indigenous advancements in nanoelectronics technology.

Speaking about the conference, Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, said, “The Nanotechnology Roadshow is a very critical part of India’s pathway towards semiconductor self-sufficiency in the years to come. MeitY had promoted Nano science centres in 6 IITs and the Indian Institute of Science across the country in order to ensure that we have a dedicated team of scientists, technologists, and professionals in the semiconductor space built up over a period of time. Today we have an occasion to actually have many of the deep tech startups, many technology demonstrations, industries who have benefited from this programme coming together. Almost 50 technology demonstrations are being held, 25 deep-tech startups are participating who are specifically involved in the Nano Electronic space, 25 Venture Capitals will be participating alongside 25 more industries. We expect that this event will be the first of many more which will lead India in its part towards semiconductor self sufficiency and in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of a self-sufficient, self-reliant India under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).”

The roadshow will also serve as a platform for India's vibrant electronics startup ecosystem to showcase their innovations and pitch to an extensive network of Venture Capital firms, aiming to secure investment and accelerate growth.

With India's increasing focus on Atmanirbhar Bharat, this initiative underscores the Government's commitment to achieving self-reliance in electronics innovation and manufacturing. By fostering collaboration between industry and academia, the Ministry aims to cultivate a thriving ecosystem that encourages innovation and sustainable growth in the nanoelectronics sector.

MeitY Funded Ink-Manufacturing Technology Transferred to Two Startups

The indigenous conductive ink manufacturing technology, based on silver nanowires, has been successfully transferred to two startups: Chematico Technologies Private Limited (incubated at IIT Ropar, Punjab) and Vasanthbala Functional Materials Pvt Ltd (incubated at NIT Warangal, Telangana).

This technology, developed under a project funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), is a significant step towards reducing India's dependency on imported conductive ink.

The indigenous conductive ink manufacturing technology was jointly implemented by Prof. Sarang Gumfekar from IIT Ropar and Prof. Shirish Sonawane from NIT Warangal.

Conductive ink technology has a wide range of applications across industries due to its ability to conduct electricity while being lightweight, flexible, and cost-effective.

The ink has versatile applications, including flexible electronics, wearable devices, solar panels, RFID tags, and more. The global market for such technology is projected to surpass $16.87 billion by 2032, driven by demand in electronics, semiconductors, and renewable energy.

This development not only supports India's self-reliance in advanced materials but also aligns with the broader goals of fostering innovation and boosting the semiconductor ecosystem.

This collaboration highlights the synergy between academic institutions and government initiatives in advancing India's technological self-reliance.

MeitY Unveils ‘Entity Locker’, A Cloud-based Business Document Management Infrastructure

The Entity Locker is a new digital public infrastructure developed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) through its National eGovernance Division (NeGD). It's designed to streamline the management, verification, and storage of business documents.

Entity Locker is a secure, cloud-based solution that simplifies the storage, sharing, and verification of documents for a wide range of entities, including large organisations, corporations, micro, small, and medium Enterprises (MSMEs), trusts, startups and societies.

1. Real-time Access: Integrates with government databases to provide real-time document verification.
2. Consent-based Sharing: Allows secure sharing of documents with the user's consent.
3. Role-based Access: Implements Aadhaar-authenticated access to ensure accountability.
4. 10 GB Encrypted Cloud Storage: Provides secure storage for business documents.
5. Legally Valid Digital Signatures: Ensures documents are properly authenticated

The platform aims to minimize administrative overhead, speed up processing times, and enhance operational efficiency for businesses. It also supports compliance with regulatory and reporting requirements and integrates with systems like the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, GST Network, and Directorate General of Foreign Trade.

The Entity Locker offers numerous benefits across various industries by simplifying and securing business document management. Here’s how it can be particularly beneficial:

For Startups and Small Businesses:

Streamlined Compliance: Easily manage and submit necessary documents for various registrations and compliance requirements.

Document Security: Store critical business documents securely with encryption and control who has access to them.

Efficiency: Reduce the administrative burden of handling physical documents, leading to faster processing times.

For Large Corporations:

Centralized Repository: Maintain a central repository for all business documents, accessible to authorized personnel only.

Audit Trail: Keep a detailed log of document access and modifications to enhance accountability and transparency.

Scalable Solutions: Handle large volumes of documents efficiently with scalable cloud storage.

For Financial Institutions:

Verification: Quickly verify documents for loan applications, opening bank accounts, and other financial transactions.

Risk Management: Reduce the risk of fraud by ensuring documents are authenticated and legally valid.

Customer Convenience: Improve customer experience by enabling seamless document submission and verification.

For Government Agencies:

Inter-agency Collaboration: Facilitate the sharing of verified documents across different government departments and agencies.

Reduced Paperwork: Minimize the need for physical document submission, making processes more efficient and eco-friendly.

Transparency: Enhance transparency in administrative processes by maintaining a reliable digital record of documents.

For Healthcare Providers:

Patient Records: Securely store and manage patient consent forms, insurance documents, and other essential records.

Compliance: Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements for document handling and storage.

Operational Efficiency: Streamline administrative tasks and improve overall operational efficiency.

By leveraging the capabilities of the Entity Locker, businesses and organizations can achieve better document management, enhanced security, and improved operational efficiency.

Senior officials from MeitY emphasise that Entity Locker is more than just a technological innovation. It is a strategic initiative designed to reduce administrative friction, catalyse productivity, and unlock new opportunities for businesses. The platform reflects the government’s commitment to creating a digitally empowered and efficient business environment.

MeitY Grants ₹2 Crores Funding to 5 Start-ups Incubated at BIMTECH AIC

Birla Institute of Management Technology (BIMTECH) Greater Noida, a leading Business School in India, is at the forefront of fostering start-up growth under the SAMRIDH program, an initiative by Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

Through this program, AIC-BIMTECH has supported eight startups, five of which have successfully secured ₹2 crores in funding from MeitY. The funded 5 startups are:

1. Cunomial, 
2. Credit Siddhi, 
3. Origin Connect, 
4. Transport Simple, and 
5. Vacus. 

This achievement underscores the program's pivotal role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, contributing to an aggregated valuation of ₹75 crores, and driving economic growth towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Dr. Prabina Rajib, Director, BIMTECH stated "SAMRIDH program has been instrumental in enabling BIMTECH to further this mission by providing resources and insights tailored to the unique needs of early-stage ventures. Our researchers and faculty actively contribute to building a knowledge foundation that startups can draw upon to make informed decisions, innovate more effectively, and stay ahead in competitive markets. BIMTECH is committed to creating a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem where startups can grow with a strong foundation in research, continuous learning, and a passion for meaningful impact."

Dr. Shalini Singh, Chairperson; Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship Development and Acting CEO of AIC BIMTECH, sheds light by stating “At AIC BIMTECH, we provide comprehensive support for startups offering not just soft infrastructure and co working spaces but also invaluable mentorship, extensive networking, opportunities for market access, investor connections, and a range of business development activities. This approach ensures that startups are equipped with the right tools and resources to scale their operations, innovate, and thrive in an ever-evolving market landscape.”

With a strong commitment to create a dynamic ecosystem, AIC BIMTECH has successfully supported around 400 startups and established more than 200 partnerships, fostering a vibrant incubation environment. Birla Institute of Management Technology has also empowered these startups to accelerate their growth by providing tailored mentorship, strategic business networking, team-building support, investor relations, and helping them secure the resources essential for scaling.

The eight start-ups supported by AIC BIMTECH are Cunomial, Credit Siddhi, Origin Connect, Transport Simple, Vacus, Fabrik, Detrocel, and Ecotio. These start-ups are making notable progress in their respective fields, fostering innovation, creating Job opportunities, generating revenue, and making a significant impact on India’s economy.

Inspired by its founders Late Basant Kumar Birla and Sarala Birla, BIMTECH pioneered innovative programs like PGDM, PGDM-International Business (IB), PGDM-Retail Management (RM), and PGDM-Insurance Business Management (IBM), nurturing individuals into global leaders. Also, BIMTECH is now AACSB accredited, joining the Ivy League of Top Globally Recognized B-Schools. Fostering a symbiotic relationship, the institute excels in management education, supported by its globally placed robust alumni network of over 8000 individuals.

IISc Researchers Develop Brain-inspired Computing Platform That Can Store and Process Data

Researchers at the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a groundbreaking brain-inspired analog computing platform. This platform can store and process data in an impressive 16,500 conductance states within a molecular film. This innovation mimics the human brain's neural networks, allowing for more efficient and powerful data processing.

Supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Ministry of Education and the Department of Science and Technology., the team at IISc tapped into tiny molecular movements to design a highly precise and efficient neuromorphic accelerator, which can be seamlessly integrated with silicon circuits to boost their performance and energy efficiency.

Key Features:

High Efficiency: The platform integrates data storage and processing, reducing the need for data transfer and significantly improving energy efficiency.

Advanced AI Capabilities: It can handle complex AI tasks, such as training large language models, on personal devices like laptops and smartphones.

Neuromorphic Design: By using molecular movements to create a "molecular diary," it can access a vast number of memory states, far beyond the binary states of traditional digital computers.

This development could revolutionize AI hardware, making advanced AI tools more accessible and energy-efficient. It's a significant step forward in neuromorphic computing and positions India as a potential leader in global tech innovation.

Published in the journal Nature, this breakthrough represents a huge step forward over traditional digital computers in which data storage and processing are limited to just two states.

Neuromorphic computing differs significantly from traditional computing architectures in several key ways. For an instance, Traditional Computing uses the von Neumann architecture, where the CPU and memory are separate entities. Data is shuttled back and forth between them, which can create bottlenecks. While, Neuromorphic Computing mimics the brain’s neural networks, integrating processing and memory storage in a more interconnected manner, reducing data transfer bottlenecks.

Neuromorphic computing holds great promise for the future, especially in areas requiring high efficiency and adaptability.

Such a platform could potentially bring complex Al tasks, like training LLMs, to personal devices like laptops and smartphones, taking us closer to democratising the development of Al tools.

Neuromorphic computing is a fascinating area. It aims to mimic the neural structure and functioning of the human brain to create more efficient and powerful computing systems. This approach can potentially revolutionize various fields by significantly improving computing efficiency and reducing energy consumption.

Recent advancements in neuromorphic platforms have shown promising results. For instance, these platforms can process information in a way that is more akin to how the human brain works, enabling faster and more efficient data processing. This can be particularly beneficial for applications in artificial intelligence, robotics, and real-time data analysis.

MeitY Approves Incentives for 12 SemiCon related Startups Under DLI Scheme

The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), Government of India, has approved incentives for 12 start-ups under the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme.

This initiative is part of a broader effort to bolster the semiconductor ecosystem in India. The selected start-ups will receive financial assistance totaling over ₹130 crore for their projects, which include developing integrated circuits for telecommunications, AI hardware accelerators, and more.

This move is aimed at fostering innovation and self-reliance in semiconductor design, a critical area for technological advancement and economic growth.

Part of the overall $10 billion incentive scheme for the semiconductor ecosystem, the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme is a program by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to support the semiconductor chip design ecosystem in India. The scheme aims to Strengthen the ecosystem, Move up the value chain, Provide financial incentives, and design infrastructure support.

The selected start-ups are:

1. DV2JS Innovation - Image sensor system on chip for automotive applications
2. Vervesemi Microelectronics - Microcontroller integrated circuit for industrial applications
3. Fermionic Design - Beamformer IC for satellite communication
4. Morphing Machines - RISC-V multi-core accelerators for telecom applications
5. Calligo Technologies - Hardware accelerators for AI
6. Sensesemi Technologies - Wearable SoC for healthcare applications
7. Saankhya Labs - Basestation SoC for 5G communication
8. Aheesa Digital Innovations - Networking SoCs for telecom applications
9. Netrasemi - Edge-AI SoC for smart vision and IoT applications
10. Green PMU Semi - Energy harvesting power management IC for IoT and sensing applications
11. WiSig Networks - NarrowBand IoT SoC
12. MosChip Technologies - Smart energy meter IC

This initiative is part of a broader effort to bolster the semiconductor ecosystem in India and foster innovation and self-reliance in semiconductor design.