Rajasthan Education Summit 2026 Highlights AI‑Driven Vision for Learning & Talent

Positioning Rajasthan as a future hub for AI-driven learning, innovation, and skilled talent emerged as the central focus of the Rajasthan Education Summit 2026 held in Jaipur on Friday. Organised by ASSOCHAM Rajasthan State Council in collaboration with IIHMR University the summit deliberated on the theme “Empowering Rajasthan through AI-Driven Education & Vision 2030”.

Dr. Prem Chand Bairwa, Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Government of Rajasthan, along with more than 150 delegates, focused on strengthening Rajasthan’s education ecosystem through responsible integration of AI, industry-academia collaboration, digital transformation, skill development, innovation-led learning, and future-ready curricula.

Speakers including Vice Chancellors, Directors, policymakers, researchers, principals, entrepreneurs, and industry representatives highlighted the importance of ensuring that technology-driven education remains accessible, inclusive, and employment-oriented, particularly for students from emerging and underserved regions.

Dr. PR Sodani, President, IIHMR University, shared, “The future of education will be defined by how effectively we integrate technology with human-centric learning. AI-driven education is not only about digital transformation but also about creating equitable opportunities, strengthening critical thinking, and preparing youth for emerging global challenges. Platforms like these are important for fostering collaboration between academia, government, and industry.”

Discussions explored how AI can support personalised learning, improve educational governance, enhance research capabilities, and contribute to building a globally competitive talent pool from Rajasthan.

Rajasthan Enters India’s Chip Race: Sahasra Semiconductor Facility Launched in Bhiwadi

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has virtually laid the foundation stone for the Sahasra Semiconductor facility in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, marking the state’s formal entry into India’s semiconductor ecosystem with projects worth over ₹400 crore. This SME-led chip packaging plant is India’s first of its kind and is expected to scale production to 400–600 million units annually within the next 2–3 years.

Key Highlights of the Sahasra Semiconductor Facility

Rajasthan now joins Bharat’s Semiconductor journey ✅ pic.twitter.com/eru9D7DQyr

— Ashwini Vaishnaw (@AshwiniVaishnaw) May 15, 2026

• Location: Bhiwadi, Rajasthan
• Investment: Over ₹150 crore for the ATMP/OSAT facility; part of ₹400 crore industrial projects
• Scale: 57,000 sq. ft. facility with Class 10K and 100K cleanrooms
• Initial Capacity: ~60 million semiconductor units annually
• Future Capacity: 400–600 million units within 2–3 years
• Exports: Already shipping over 60% of output to the US, Germany, France, Eastern Europe, China, and Nepal. 

Strategic Importance

• Geopolitical Significance: Vaishnaw emphasized that semiconductors are globally critical, and Rajasthan now has a place in this high-tech supply chain.
• Government Support: Driven by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes, which have already approved 75 projects worth ₹61,000 crore.
• Tech Advancements: India is now designing 2nm and 3nm AI chips and manufacturing high-bandwidth memory domestically.

Products Manufactured

• Memory chips (Micro SD, flash storage)
• LED driver ICs
• eSIMs
• RFID components

Impact on India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem

• Diversification: First SME-led semiconductor packaging unit, decentralizing manufacturing beyond traditional hubs.
• Exports: Strengthens India’s role in global supply chains.
• Employment: Thousands of jobs expected in Rajasthan’s electronics cluster.
• Economic Growth: Electronics output in India has expanded six-fold in 12 years to ₹13 lakh crore, with exports at ₹4.24 lakh crore.

What This Means for India

This facility is a milestone in India’s semiconductor journey, complementing larger fabs and advanced packaging units in Odisha and Gujarat. It signals India’s transition from being seen as a “question mark” in chip manufacturing to a credible global player.

AIM SUMVAAD in Indore Launches State Incubator Alliances for Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), under NITI Aayog, successfully hosted the Regional AIM SUMVAAD – Central India Edition in Indore, bringing together government, industry, academia, incubators, and startups to strengthen collaboration and build a robust innovation ecosystem. The conclave also launched state incubator alliances in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Event Highlights

• Venue: Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore, Madhya Pradesh
• Participants: Stakeholders from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, startup councils, incubators, CSR partners, and industry leaders
• Focus Areas: Strengthening State–Centre collaboration, building incubator networks, promoting inclusive entrepreneurship, accelerating innovation

Key Outcomes

• Launch of State Chapters: Madhya Pradesh Incubation Consortium and Thar Incubation Alliance (Rajasthan)
• Strategic Dialogues: Scaling state-led innovation initiatives, enhancing academia-industry collaboration, enabling innovation-driven growth
• Special Sessions: Building effective people and culture in incubation centres, shifting models “From Grants to Growth”

Leadership Insights

• Deepak Bagla, Mission Director, AIM: “Incubators are the cornerstone of a thriving startup ecosystem, transforming ideas into scalable ventures.”
• Himanshu Rai, Director, IIM Indore: India is moving from a service mindset to a science mindset, requiring patient capital and deep research.
• Viraj Bhanage, Director, RRCAT: Incubators play a vital role in supporting startups and fostering collaboration.
• Dr. Abha Rishi, MP Startup Centre: Incubators are the beating heart of the startup ecosystem, crucial for sustainable innovation.

Broader Context

• AIM Reach: Over 100 incubators and nearly 50,000 Atal Tinkering Labs across India
• Startup Growth: From 350 startups to over 200,000, generating 21,000+ jobs
• National Priorities: Focus on bio-manufacturing, biotechnology, DeepTech, aligned with Viksit Bharat vision

Significance

• Strengthens regional innovation ecosystems in Central India
• Builds state-level incubator alliances for sustained collaboration
• Positions incubators as engines of entrepreneurship and innovation-driven growth

Key Stakeholders Present

Name	Designation	Organization
Deepak Bagla	Mission Director	Atal Innovation Mission
Himanshu Rai	Director	IIM Indore
Viraj Bhanage	Director	RRCAT / AIC π-Hub
Dr. Abha Rishi	Executive Head	Madhya Pradesh Startup Centre
Sandeep Gupta	Director	CFA Institute India

In essence, AIM SUMVAAD – Central India Edition has emerged as a powerful platform for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and collaborative action, reinforcing India’s commitment to nurturing startups and innovation-led development.

Honda Expands Two-Wheeler Production Capacity in India with New Line at Tapukara Plant

Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. (HMSI), Honda’s motorcycle production and sales subsidiary in India is advancing its capacity expansion to meet the growing and diversifying demand for two-wheelers in the country.

HMSI is expanding its manufacturing capacity with the installation of a new third production line at its Tapukara plant in Alwar District, Rajasthan. This milestone underscores HMSI’s unwavering promise of The Power of Dreams, aimed at empowering millions of Indians to achieve their ambitions with confidence.

The new production line at Tapukara is planned to begin operations in 2028 with an annual capacity of 6,70,000 units. With this addition, the total capacity of the second factory will increase to 2.01 million units per year. It will also generate employment opportunities for over 2,000 people, further contributing to development of the region.

Commenting on the capacity expansion, Mr. Tsutsumu Otani, President & CEO, Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India, mentioned, "India is entering a new phase of mobility transformation, and HMSI is committed to leading this journey with responsibility and purpose. Strengthening our production ecosystem at Tapukara is an important step towards building greater resilience, flexibility, and future readiness across our supply chain. This expansion will help us respond more effectively to market demand and continue delivering value that supports the aspirations of millions of customers. In line with our commitment to safer, cleaner, and more accessible mobility, we remain focused on long-term sustainable growth that advances mobility and strengthens the company’s foundation for the future.”

Sh. Bhajan Lal Sharma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Rajasthan added, “Rajasthan continues to strengthen its position as a preferred destination for world-class manufacturing. The capacity expansion by Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India in their Tapukara situated manufacturing plant is a step forward in that direction. HMSI’s continued investment in the region will not only enhance manufacturing capabilities but also generate employment and contribute to growth of the automotive ecosystem in the region. We welcome this move and look-forward to the industry’s continued contribution towards mobility, innovation and economic development.”

HMSI operates four manufacturing plants across India with a total annual capacity of 6.25 million units. Since starting operations in 2001, the company has produced over 70 million units, reflecting its scale and long-term commitment to India’s mobility sector. As announced in May 2025, HMSI is adding a fourth production line at its Vithalapur plant in Ahmedabad district, Gujarat. This new line, scheduled to begin operations in 2027, is progressing as planned and will further strengthen HMSI’s production network.

The second factory began operations in July 2011 with an annual capacity of 0.6 million units, which was expanded to 1.2 million units in March 2012. Since 2023, HMSI has been introducing automation in machining and production efficiency technologies, and the current annual capacity stands at 1.3 million units. These efficiency improvements will continue, with plans to reach 1.34 million units by FY2026.

HMSI will make a total investment of approximately INR 15 billion to establish a highly flexible third production line capable of manufacturing commuter models of scooters and motorcycles. For this HMSI will purchase 73,700 m² of land at Tapukara including this third line and additional planned expansions at other plants, HMSI’s overall annual production capacity will increase from the current 6.25 million units to approximately 8 million units by FY2028.

Aligned with Honda’s global vision to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, HMSI integrates sustainable practices across operations, from solar-powered factories to water conservation and recycling initiatives, ensuring that environmental stewardship and business growth go hand in hand.

AI & ML to Power Rajasthan’s Mineral Exploration: State Partners with IIT Hyderabad

• Rajasthan Govt. engages IIT Hyderabad to build AI-driven mineral exploration system. 
• Rajasthan state ties up with IIT-Hyderabad to deploy AI & ML for critical mineral mapping across its 39 districts. 
• IIT-Hyderabad to develop advanced AI mineral prediction platform for Rajasthan in ₹ 8.5+ Cr partnership.

In a major step toward modernising India’s mineral exploration ecosystem, the Government of Rajasthan signed an ₹ 8.5+ Cr MoU with IIT Hyderabad (IITH) during the Pravasi Rajasthani Divas 2025 held at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre. The agreement, finalised in the presence of the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Union Minister of Coal and Mines and Prof. B. S. Murty, Director, IIT Hyderabad, aims to develop an AI- and ML-driven predictive system for identifying critical and strategic minerals across the state. The partnership positions Rajasthan among the first states in India to deploy advanced computational geoscience tools for mineral intelligence and exploration planning.

Under this collaboration, IITH will build a comprehensive prediction model that integrates geological, geochemical, geophysical and multispectral satellite datasets from 39 districts to generate AI-based mineral prospectivity maps. The system will help identify potential zones for minerals such as lithium, copper, graphite, zinc, nickel, cobalt, rare earth elements and other critical resources, supporting the state’s long-term mineral development strategy. The project will be executed in four phases over 18 months, with district-wise analytics, data dashboards and decision-support tools delivered to Rajasthan State Mineral Exploration Trust (RSMET).

Speaking about the initiative, T. Ravikant, Principal Secretary, Department of Mines, Geology & Petroleum, Government of Rajasthan, said: “The state will apply AI and ML for the exploration of critical and strategic minerals under the national programmes of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Digital India. This initiative marks a major advancement in how Rajasthan will identify and utilise its mineral wealth."

On the collaboration with IITH, he added: “A letter of intent has been signed between RSMET and IITH for data exchange and modelling. The project with IITH will be completed in four phases over about 18 months, and its outcome is expected to support a mineral development model and a long-term road map for the state."

Welcoming the partnership, Prof. B. S. Murty, Director, IITH, who was present during the exchange of the MoU, said: “This collaboration brings IITH into the mainstream of India’s critical mineral and resource intelligence mission. By combining advanced AI/ML techniques with geoscience, we are creating tools that will help India become a global leader in exploration technologies. This MoU aligns with our commitment to build solutions for Atmanirbhar Bharat and strengthen the nation’s technological leadership in mineral exploration for the future along with the ongoing relevant projects of the Institute like Australia-India Critical Minerals Research Hub (AICMRH) Bilateral Project, CoE on Critical Minerals as complete indigenization of manufacturing sector in our country is mainly dependent on availability of all kinds of minerals locally within our country.

This project will be led by Dr. C. Krishna Mohan, Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at IIT Hyderabad, in collaboration with Critical Mineral Trackers, a startup based at the Technology Research Park at IIT Hyderabad. The initiative is expected to reshape mineral exploration practices in Rajasthan, accelerate the discovery of critical minerals vital for India’s clean energy and manufacturing goals, and create a scalable AI-driven model that can be adopted by other states. With global demand for lithium, rare earth elements, and battery metals rising sharply, officials believe this effort positions both Rajasthan and India strategically within the future mineral supply chain.

About IIT Hyderabad:

IITH, established in 2008, has reached a respectable position in academics, research, technology development and startups in a short span of 17 years. In the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF-2025), IITH is ranked 7th among Engineering institutes (crossing a first generation IIT), and is ranked 6th in Innovation, while it has maintained its rank within the top 10 Engineering Institutes ever since NIRF was launched. IITH is ranked 664 and 270 in the QS World and Asian University Ranking 2026, respectively (among the top 10% of global institutions in citations per faculty). IITH secured 46 positions by 31 faculties in the Global Top 2% Scientists World list 2025 released by Stanford University (SU) in collaboration with Elsevier across two categories. IITH has been striving for excellence with a motto of "Inventing & Innovating in Technology for Humanity (IITH)"

With 340 full-time faculty, 360+ non-teaching staff and 5,700+ students (PG+PhD students accounting for about 60%), IITH has a strong research focus with 5210+ R&D projects worth of Rs. 1640+ Cr (Rs. 335+ Cr funding in 2024-25, i.e. Rs. 1+ Cr per faculty, one of the largest per capita funding among IITs), 12,750+ publications, 2,44,300+ citations, 154 h-index, 630+ patents (210+ Patents in 2024, the largest per capita patents filed among IITs), and about 335+ Startups (that have generated 1100+ jobs with a revenue of Rs. 1500+ Cr).

About Rajasthan State Mineral Exploration Trust (RSMET)

The Rajasthan State Mineral Exploration Trust (RSMET) is a dedicated entity under the Department of Mines & Geology, Government of Rajasthan, established to promote systematic, scientific, and technology-driven mineral exploration across the state. The Trust is mandated to undertake high-priority exploration of critical, strategic, and deep-seated minerals, support advanced geoscientific studies, and facilitate resource assessment for future mining projects. RSMET plays a key role in strengthening Rajasthan’s mineral sector by funding and coordinating exploration activities, adopting modern techniques such as remote sensing, geophysical surveys, and predictive modelling, and enabling the state to build a long-term roadmap for mineral security and sustainable development.

In an Another India's Largest, Adani to Build Solar-Wind Renewable Cluster in Rajasthan

Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL) is making some big moves in renewable energy. They've announced plans to build India's largest solar-wind hybrid renewable cluster in Rajasthan. This is all part of their goal to reach a 50 GW renewable energy portfolio by 2030, which aligns with India's push for decarbonization.

Adani Group has recently refinanced a $1.06 billion construction facility, originally taken in 2021. The new financing has a long-term structure of 19 years, which really shows their commitment to this project, and supporting their ambitious goal of achieving a 50 GW renewable energy portfolio by 2030.

The refinancing facility has a door-to-door tenor of 19 years, with a fully amortized debt structure that aligns with the underlying asset life.

This strategic move not only enhances AGEL's financial stability but also ensures their ability to continue their growth trajectory and deliver sustainable value creation to their stakeholders.

AGEL already operates a massive renewable energy portfolio of 12.2 GW (largest in India) across 12 states in India. This new project in Rajasthan will only cement their status as a leader in the renewable energy sector.

Refinancing plays a crucial role in the renewable energy sector by providing the necessary financial stability and flexibility for ongoing and future projects. By refinancing existing debt, companies like Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL) can secure long-term financing with favorable terms. This reduces the financial burden and allows them to focus on expanding their renewable energy portfolio.

Notably, refinancing often comes with lower interest rates and better terms, which reduces the overall cost of capital. This makes renewable energy projects more financially viable and attractive to investors.

Adani Group to Invest Over $88 Billion in Rajasthan

The Adani Group has announced plans to invest over Rs 7.5 trillion ($88.53 billion) in the northwestern state of Rajasthan. This investment will focus on sectors such as renewable energy and cement.

The group will set up four new cement plants, adding a capacity of 6 million tonnes per annum. Over 50% of these investments will be made over the next five years.

The announcement was made by Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd Managing Director Karan Adani, at the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit, in Jaipur, attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Adani Group plans to build the world's largest integrated green energy ecosystem, involving 100 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy.

Further, the Adani Group plans to develop a world-class facility at Jaipur Airport to improve connectivity and boost tourism, and multi-modal logistics parks, as well as inland container depots (ICDs). The creation of multi-modal logistics parks will support the state's ambitious infrastructure and economic transformation plans.

Over 50% of the investment will be made over the next five years, underlining the group's commitment to rapid development in Rajasthan.

This investment is part of Adani Group's broader commitment to renewable energy, with plans to build an energy park in Gujarat with a production capacity of 50 GW by 2030.

The Adani Group's investment of Rs 7.5 lakh crore ($88.53 billion) in Rajasthan is expected to have a transformative impact on the state's economy and infrastructure.

The Adani Group plans to build the world's largest integrated green energy ecosystem in Rajasthan, involving 100 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy, 2 million tons of hydrogen, and 1.8 GW of pump hydro storage. This will position Rajasthan as a hub for green jobs and sustainable development.

The investment is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities in the state.

This investment is a significant step towards boosting Rajasthan's industrial landscape, contributing to sectors like renewable energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing.

The Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit, held in Jaipur, attracted global investors, industry leaders, policymakers, and government officials. The summit saw the signing of MoUs worth Rs 33 lakh crore under the Rising Rajasthan initiative.

Flipkart Launches Its 1st Grocery Fulfillment Center in Rajasthan, Offers Delivery Slots as Per Consumer’s Choice

India's homegrown e-commerce marketplace, Flipkart, has recently inaugurated a new grocery fulfillment center (FC) in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Notably, this new FC is Flipkart's first grocery FC in the state of Rajasthan, which will help meet increasing consumer demand for online groceries through enhanced speed and serviceability across the region. Earlier, consumers in Rajasthan and nearby regions were reliant on Dharuhera FC (near Gurugram) in Haryana.

This move strengthens Flipkart's delivery capabilities and caters to the growing demand for online groceries in the region.

The new FC spans 69,000 square feet and is equipped to dispatch 6,500 orders daily to Jaipur and neighboring cities, including Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Kota. It features over 5,000 products, including local brands, to offer a wide range of quality grocery items to customers.

Flipkart's new Grocery FC in Jaipur

Delighted to launch our first grocery Fulfillment center of Rajasthan state in Jaipur; This will boost MSMEs/farmers’ digital market access on @Flipkart , help boost their income and also create over 600 local jobs in addition to boosting supplier job ecosystem. Consumers will… pic.twitter.com/PLEOaVkyIh

— Rajneesh Kumar (@rajneeeshkumar) June 20, 2024

The establishment of this FC will create 600 direct and indirect jobs, benefiting the local economy and supporting small businesses, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and Farmers.

Flipkart aims to enhance delivery services and meet the growing consumer demand for online groceries in Rajasthan. The center aligns with their commitment to strengthen partnerships with local farmers and businesses while fostering sustainable growth

Consumers in Rajasthan can now expect quicker deliveries and better value, along with services like cash on delivery, pay later options, no-cost equated monthly installments, easy cancellation, and unified payments interface for digital payments.

This initiative reflects Flipkart's dedication to providing convenient grocery shopping experiences while empowering local communities economically.

Smt. Manju Sharma, Member of Parliament, Jaipur, said, “Flipkart's first grocery fulfillment center in Rajasthan is a significant milestone in our state's digital and economic growth. We are happy that Flipkart’s expansion in its supply chain infrastructure in the state will provide local consumers with faster and more convenient access to essential goods. At the same time, it will empower the local MSMEs and farmers, thereby uplifting the overall livelihood opportunities of the local ecosystem. I commend Flipkart for their commitment to enhancing our PM Shri Narendra Modi ji's vision of 'Digital India' by giving benefits of digital commerce and contributing to enriching the economy of our New Bharat.”

Rajneesh Kumar, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Flipkart Group, said, “As a customer-first organization, Flipkart leverages its homegrown technology to keenly identify high-demand hotspots and address consumer needs for quality grocery products. The launch of our first grocery fulfillment center in Jaipur marks a significant advancement in our efforts to enhance delivery services and meet the growing consumer demand for online groceries in Rajasthan. As we continue to expand our footprint, the new FC aligns with our commitment to strengthening partnerships with local farmers, MSMEs and other local businesses. We remain committed to furthering our vision of empowering these communities economically and fostering sustainable growth while creating new livelihood opportunities.”

Hari Kumar G, Vice President, Head of Grocery, Flipkart, said, “We have been witnessing significant demand for online groceries among local consumers of Rajasthan, which offers an opportunity to bridge the digital gap and make online shopping more convenient for consumers. With the launch of the new FC, consumers will now have access to a vast assortment of high-quality local and national selections at the right value at the delivery slot of their choice. We aim to address the needs of value-seeking consumers of tier 2 and 3 cities by elevating consumer satisfaction and improving the growth of the overall regional ecosystem.”

NLC India Secures Entire Capacity of 810 MW Grid Connected Solar Photovoltaic Power Project in Rajasthan

NLC India Limited, a Navratna Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSE) under the Ministry of Coal, has successfully garnered the entire capacity of the 810 MW Solar PV project Capacity from Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Nigam Limited (RRVUNL).

NLCIL has won 810 MW Solar PV tender floated by RRVUNL, in December 2022, for developing RRVUNL’s 2000 MW Ultra Mega Solar Park at Pugal Tehsil, Bikaner District, Rajasthan. The Letter of Intent for this project has been issued by RRVUNL. This achievement marks a significant step forward in NLCIL's commitment to clean and sustainable energy solutions.

The land for the project and the power evacuation system connected to STU will be offered by RVUNL, paving the way for completion of the project at shorter period. This is the largest Renewable project to be developed by the company. With this project, the capacity of power project in Rajasthan will be 1.36 GW including 1.1 GW of green power, bringing economies of scale and optimized fixed costs.

Considering the good Solar radiation at Rajasthan, the higher CUF for the project is possible and will generate green power of more than 50 Billion Units and offsets more than 50,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions during the life of the project.

Currently, the company is establishing 50 MW Solar project at Mined out land, 200 MW Solar project under CPSU scheme on Pan-India basis, 300 MW Solar project under CPSU Scheme at Barsingsar, Bikaner District & 600 MW Solar project at Khavda Solar project, Bhuj District, Gujarat.

Shri Prasanna Kumar Motupalli, CMD, said that the company was the first CPSU to install 1 GW of RE capacity and NLCIL is currently developing 2 GW RE capacity across India including this project with target to reach more than 6 GW RE capacity by 2030, in line with the commitment of the Govt. of India, augmenting RE capacity addition.

In An India's 1st, Rajasthan to Impose Surcharge on Online Transactions to Fund Gig Workers' Welfare Benefits

The Rajasthan Assembly Monday passed a Bill extending social security to gig workers.

In a first in India, Rajasthan has approved a bill to impose a surcharge on online transactions via platforms like Amazon, Ola and Zomato to fund welfare benefits for gig workers. 

Approved without any debate in the state assembly, the bill states that the aggregators will have to provide data of all gig workers registered with them within 60 days of the notification of the law.

As per the bill, the state government will impose a surcharge on online transactions via platforms like Amazon, Ola and Zomato to fund welfare benefits for gig workers, the first such scheme in the country.

Rajasthan state Chief Minister, Gehlot in his budget speech earlier this year had said that “Currently, companies like Ola, Uber, Swiggy, Zomato and Amazon, etc. have engaged young workers on contract on ‘per transaction’ basis. Such workers are called gig workers. Like elsewhere in the world, the scope of ‘Gig Economy’ is continuously growing in the state. Today, the number of gig workers in the state has increased to 3-4 lakh. These big companies do not make any arrangements for social security for these gig workers.”

Eventually, Rajastпan state assembly approved late on Monday the platform-based gig workers' welfare bill, under which online platforms would collect a surcharge of up to 2% on transactions, according to state officials, and deposit the proceeds in a welfare fund to be run by a board with workers, industry and government representatives.

The bill is likely to benefit over 400,000 gig workers in the state and also has a provision to set up a tribunal with some judicial powers to address gig workers' grievances against their aggregator platforms, said a Reuters report citing state government officials.

The number of gig workers has grown sharply in India to an estimated 15 million - emerging as a constituency pursued by political parties ahead of elections in five states in the next few months and general elections early next year.

A recent Quess Corp survey suggested that 80% informal employees expect their employers to provide them security of ESI and Other Medical Benefits.

Meet the 21-Yr-Old Entrepreneur's Kwige Investments Providing Investments To Early Stage Startups

Sanjiv Kumar, 21 years old young entrepreneur who is now trying to help other entrepreneurs of India in bringing innovative & creative startups from ideation to the market by providing proper guidance, support and pre-seed & seed funding for their initial pick up.

In past, Sanjiv Kumar has worked on his startup ideas few of them were The Luxury eats, Ruffka & Runzze but due to the lack of funds, he couldn't able to handle the expenses alone and had to shut them down. He noticed that the people had great ideas & built blueprints of their businesses, all they lacked were funds. From there, he founded Kwige investments to help young, motivated startup founders in raising their pre-seed and seed round of funding.

Sanjiv kumar

Today the (www.kwige.in) Kwige Investments which now receives over 100’s investment requests per day from start-ups filters out the best unique opportunities and present them to the client investors. Kwige organizes a meeting for the investor and the startup team if the investor is really interested.

You only need money for expansion not for the invention
- Sanjivshen

Sanjiv invests in early-stage startups that he finds innovative or bringing some impact on the economy. He also believes that if a person got an idea then he should work on it rather than just imagining & talking about it. He says today people are more aware of how private investments are done due to the TV show called Shark Tank, Previously people only knew about bank loans and mortgages for which they had to pay high-interest rates.

Investment range: 50,000 to 500 million

Number of Startups Served: 250+

Personal Portfolio:

1. Metaphorsis (New Generation Digital marketing agency)
2. Zingie (Revolutionalized online food delivery)

Apply for startup funding at : www.kwige.in

Conferencing App VideoMeet Bags the Rajasthan Innovation Leadership Award

VideoMeet Pvt Ltd, parent company for "Made in India" video conferencing application VideoMeet bagged the Rajasthan Innovation Leadership Award,2020. Jaipur headquartered IT company led by Dhruv Data, was one of the pioneers to bring indigenous webinar and virtual conferencing‌ platform available free of cost in Pan India. Mr. Dhruv virtually received this award. The award night was endorsed by World CSR Day, World Sustainability, & Stars of the Industry Group.

Rajasthan Innovation Leadership Awards 2020 brings together the iconic personalities and innovative products from the sectors of Education, Corporate, Entrepreneurship, Banking, Financial, Retail, Real Estate etc. VideoMeet has been felicitated with Certificate of Appreciation from MeitY and was in the list of Top 10 Made in India Apps. 

Dhruv Data, Founder, VideoMeet Pvt Ltd

The application has an array of features like end-to-end encryption, dual audio share, stream play mode, corporate branding etc, that are capable of replacing foreign virtual meeting apps like Zoom & Microsoft Teams. Mr. Dhruv Data, Founder, VideoMeet Pvt Ltd, upon receiving the award said, “We are glad that with Videomeet, we are able to deliver a competent virtual meeting platform to the citizens of India, amid the pandemic situation. It is a moment of immense pride for me to receive this honour.”

World CSR Day, a for purpose organisation is led by Dr. RL Bhatia, who comes from a rich experience with reputed corporate like Tata Group,Standard Chartered Bank and Ernst & Young. Dr. Bhatia pioneered in bringing Emotional Intelligence to India. The organisation hosts multiple exhibitions, awards and Congress for a wide range of industries throughout the year. The upcoming awards are Water Leadership Awards and World Solar Congress in the month of February, 2021.

About VideoMeet

VideoMeet Application developed by VideoMeet Private Limited under the guidance of IT expert, Dr. Ajay Data is capable of replacing the popular multinational video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Google Meet with its user-friendly and advanced features. Video Meet provides no restriction on the number of people participating in the meeting. (supports 10000 people). Specially designed keeping in mind the structure of Indian businesses ranging from MSMEs to big corporations, the platform is available free of cost for all its users. VideoMeet has the advantage that data is hosted locally, which keeps the data stored within our country.One of the top 10 contenders to receive Certificate of Appreciation from the Ministry of IT and Electronics, Government of India in’ Made in India Video Conferencing Innovation Challenge’. VideoMeet App without compromising on video resolution allows users to initiate and experience high-definition (HD), multi-point audio/ video collaboration without dedicated telecom networks. A smartphone without the SIM card with only the Wi-Fi connection can attend the meeting easily via this platform. For corporate functioning, the entire VideoMeet solution can also be installed on premises of corporate.

Rajasthan-based UNITED Ties with Cashaa to Become World’s 1st Crypto-Friendly Financial Institution

Rajasthan-based United Multistate Credit Co. Operative Society (UNITED), which is a co-operative society registered under Rajasthan State Credit Co-Operative Societies Act 2001, is planning to expand its banking services to cryptocurrencies and cryptocurrency products.

UNITED has established a joint venture (JV) with Cashaa, a UK-based e-banking platform, called 'UNICAS' to create the world’s first crypto-friendly financial institution with physical branches and operations. With this, that aims to provide both online crypto banking services and walk-in services across its 34 physical branches in northern India.

With this JV, existing branches of the UNITED will be transformed into crypto lounges. The media reports said that account holders would be able to buy and sell Bitcoin, Cashaa, Ethereum, and Ripple in Indian Rupees. Initially, the Crypto Lounges would be opened in Delhi, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, and cover a population of nearly 150 million.

Over 30 branches of UNITED will be transformed into Crypto Lounges for cryptocurrency education and banking.

People will have access to both traditional banking services and crypto banking services not only through the 34 physical branches across north India but also online.

Mr Dinesh Kukreja, Managing Director of United Multistate Credit Co. Operative Society, who has been appointed as the CEO of the new UNICAS venture, said, ‘This will allow us to build, scale and offer customized financial and crypto products for the local Indian markets’. Under Kukreja’s tenure, the brand has certainly impacted, hopefully for the better, the lives of millions via financial services. The venture is also a member of NAFCUB – the National Federation of Urban Co-operative Banks and Credit Societies Ltd.

In a statement, Kumar Gaurav, Founder & CEO, Cashaa, said -

Most Indians are not aware or are misinformed about Cryptocurrency as an online product and they tend to trust what they see or what the government recognizes and recommends. Also, India is still largely a cash-based economy despite a Demonetization drive. With UNICAS Crypto lounges we intend to address both issues which are slowing the process of cryptocurrency adoption in India.

 

ConveGenius Partners with Rajasthan Government & Aavas Foundation to Strengthen Home Learning Initiatives in Rajasthan

The involvement of technology in education, which was once thought of as optional and luxurious has become the new normal, in fact, the only normal. As schools continue to remain shut for safety reasons, technology becomes the backbone education is standing on these days. However, everyone is aware of the undeniable digital divide in India. Students enrolled in low-fee private and government schools are unable to access education because they don't have enough resources for LIVE classes on expensive EdTech platforms.

Students partaking online classes mention the problems they face due to internet issues as several sections of the LIVE class are missed and there is hardly any time for doubt clearance in 2-3 hour-long sessions.

Looking out for these students, ConveGenius has partnered with the Rajasthan government under their ‘Aao Ghar Mein Seekhein’ program to provide practical EdTech solutions that can be accessed through an AI-based WhatsApp chatbot. The EdTech model is implemented through formative assessments, individual feedback, and content recommendations for personalized learning of students; following the syllabus taught in schools. The AI-based chatbot uses interactive, child-friendly, and asynchronous learning methods that can benefit anyone with a smartphone of any range with internet quality of 2G/ 3G. 

Ever since ConveGenius has evolved their tech-stack, it has allowed multiple students to access the foundational learning curriculum for subjects like Math, Hindi, English, and Science through a single smartphone. The tech stack individually stores the learning data of each student which is extracted through weekly assessments taken by the students. These assessments identify students’ performance and their weak points to provide targeted content and recorded classes that reduce their doubts and support remedial learning.

The EdTech model was launched on 19th September 2020 in all 33 districts of the state with the support of CSR partners like Aavas Financiers Ltd. 

Commenting on the latest development, Mr. Ghanshyam Rawat, Trustee at Aavas Foundation, the CSR arm of Aavas Financiers Limited, said, “As our response to COVID-19, we want to stand with the children of Rajasthan and help them continue their education amid nation-wide school closures. The support for setting up a home learning program in Rajasthan adds another dimension to Aavas Foundation’s CSR initiatives, with a focus on integrated community development. As a responsible corporate, we fully support and applaud the efforts by Rajasthan Government and ConveGenius in reaching out to millions of children via EdTech who otherwise could have dropped out of the education system.”

Shri Deepak Moond, Deputy Director, Rajasthan Council of School Education, also commented on the partnership saying, “The assessment-based learning model by ConveGenius promotes at-home learning that moves with student’s pace and it has reached more than 1,65,000 students of Rajasthan in only three weeks. The model in Rajasthan has already witnessed a more than 95% completion rate i.e. the percentage of students who completed their weekly modules. The large-scale assessment data is very helpful in improving teaching methods and identifying the scope of improvement in students. The performance of students on the basis of their learning objectives will be leveraged to effectively plan bottom-up educational reforms across the state.”

“Having reached more than 4 million students already, ConveGenius aims to make affordable and quality education accessible to the bottom 100 million students in India. With our experience of working in several states including Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, etc, ConveGenius is ready to extend that impact in the state of Rajasthan. This partnership is a crucial move towards ConveGenius’s campaign #EdTechForNayaBharat,” added Viprav Chaudhary, Vice-President, ConveGenius.

Rajasthan Govt Partners With Healthcare App 'Aayu' to Tackle Coronavirus Pandemic

Rajasthan government has exclusively partnered with healthcare startup MedCords to provide 24x7 online consultation and medicine delivery to the people of Rajasthan as the State battles to control cases of Coronavirus. Through its integrated solution -Aayu & Sehat Sathi app, MedCords will help over 68 Million of people in Rajasthan through this collaboration.

MedCords' solution is fully adopted in 7 districts of Rajasthan - Kota, Udaipur, Shri Ganganagar, Bikaner, Ajmer, Pali, Jaipur and will be rolling out to complete state within a week. The app is currently helping 10,000+ patients per day with consultations and is providing home delivery of medicines through its Sehat Sathi network. The technology is provided free of cost by the startup.

"We are committed to ensuring that no individual's health suffers due to a lack of public transportation during the lockdown in Kota. We are confident and positive with our association with MedCords that will enable us to penetrate rural and remote areas and provide effective healthcare delivery during the lockdown. They have been excellent so far, managed to resolve both the issues of consultations and medicine delivery to doorstep," said Shri Om Kasera, District Collector, Kota.

The biggest benefit of the solution is that it takes almost no time to implement across the district and is so easy to use.

With its integrated healthcare ecosystem, Aayu & Sehat Sathi is helping millions of Indians families consult with qualified doctors and order necessary medicines, irrespective of their geographical limitations. The startup's integrated healthcare solution is being extraordinarily helpful for dependents such as the elderly and people with disabilities whose movement is restricted during the government-imposed lockdown.

"Currently, 50% of the cases, especially from the grassroots, are coming from outside Rajasthan, and we will be more than happy to support with our technology to every State to help them contain Coronavirus and help people get essential medicines easily. It hardly takes us a day to roll out in any State of India," says Shreyans Mehta, Co-founder and CEO of MedCords.

The app and helpline number (7816811111) support Hindi and English language, making it easier for all the Indians to use it.

The startup aims at redressing disparity between accessibility to quality healthcare in urban and rural India. Using 'Aayu', customers can consult specialist doctors, secure their medical history quickly and order medicines from their nearby medical stores from anywhere across the country. The app also has a built-in comprehensive coronavirus guide for users to clear their myths and check their symptoms. Both apps are available on Google play store. A person who is not a smartphone user can call 7816811111 to receive consultations from doctors from anywhere in India.

For now, the company is extensively focusing on helping India to tackle the coronavirus crisis using technology.

About MedCords:

MedCords, the parent company of Aayu & Sehat Saathi app, was founded in 2017 by Shreyans Mehta, Nikhil Baheti and Saida Dhanavath and is backed by leading investors like InfoEdge, Ashish Jain - Water Bridge Ventures, Astarc Ventures, CIIE and Istart programme of Government of Rajasthan amongst others.

Rajasthan HC Quashes FIR Against Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey

The Rajasthan High Court on Tuesday quashed the FIR filed against Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and disposed of the plea for his arrest for allegedly hurting the sentiment of the Brahmin community by posting an “offensive photograph” on social media.

“The court did not find the offence made out against Dorsey and a journalist and said allowing investigation in the matter by police was absolutely uncalled for," said the petitioner's counsel Nishant Bora.

Allowing the miscellaneous petitions by Dorsey and a journalist, Justice Sandeep Mehta said, “I am of the opinion that allowing investigation in the matter to be continued is absolutely uncalled for.”

The court also observed that the FIR did not disclose “necessary ingredients” of any cognizable offence to warrant its registration and investigation.

Raj Kumar Sharma had filed an FIR with the police through the court in November 2018, alleging that a picture posted by Dorsey with some journalists holding a poster bearing the slogan “Smash Brahminical Patriarchy” had hurt the sentiments of the community.

Referring to the phrase ascribed as offensive, the court said these words could not be construed as having any direct link with the religious sentiment of any section of society.

“The words in the poster best convey the feelings of the concerned person regarding being strongly opposed to the Brahminical patriarchal system and desirous of denouncing the same,”the court said.

Dorsey and the journalist, Anna M M Vetticad, had moved court with a Criminal Miscellaneous petition praying quashing of the FIR. In December last year, the court did not quash the FIR but stayed the arrest. PTI CORR

Rajasthan Police launches Mobile App for Permitting Movement During Lockdown

Rajasthan police on Saturday launched a mobile app to enable individuals and company employees in the state take permission for venturing out in necessary conditions.

The RajCop citizens app has been launched on Android Play Store in English but every day it will be modified to suit the need of people especially those at the bottom of the pyramid, Sharat Kaviraj, DIG, State Crime Record Bureau, Rajasthan told PTI.

#RPFightsCorona 💪~ #Episode18#RajasthanPolice has brought easier solution to get lockdown pass online. Download the #RajCopCitizen App & apply for lockdown pass.#LetsFightCovid19 together,
You 🙏 keep supporting #Lockdown21, We 👮 keep serving you better!#Covid_19 pic.twitter.com/8xQrTaa4xO

— Rajasthan Police (@PoliceRajasthan) March 29, 2020

"Right now we are using both technology and humanitarian approach to control the lockdown. This app will help law-abiding citizens to go out of their home in case of emergency or essential services during the lockdown with a valid permit," Kaviraj said.

The permission is being sent on email of the applicant but from Sunday onwards it will be also available inside the application to help people who don't have knowledge of using e-mail.

"We will also start Hindi version of the application from tomorrow," Kaviraj said.

Many companies involved in essential services have complained about police on road punishing their employees during the lockdown.

The developer of the app Data Ingenious GLobal Limited said that the launch has been done to address the immediate need of the people during the lockdown and its team is working from home to bring changes that will be asked by the government.

"In this difficult time of coronavirus impact, we were asked to do the lockdown pass work by the government. We took it as a challenge and our team worked from home continuously for four days and I am glad that we could deliver an advance lockdown pass system to ease the life of people involved in essential services," Ajay Data CEO, Data Ingenious GLobal Limited said.

~ With Major Inputs from PTI

Rajasthan becomes 1st State to Release Bio-Fuel Policy

The Rajasthan government on Friday released biofuel rules-2019 on the eve of the World Biofuel Day. Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot said Rajasthan is the first state in the country to bring the policy for biofuel after the notification of the Centre.

Promotion of biofuel will reduce the need of fossil fuel in the interest of environment, and also generate employment opportunities, he said in a function at Science Park here.

Transport minister Pratap Singh said that efforts will be made to use biofuel in the buses of state road transport corporation. Senior officials were also present at the function.

In India, both the usage and supply of biodiesel is not widespread yet and is the main issue along with the cost.Currentlym jatropha seeds were used to produce biodiesel, but the production has not been consistent.

In 2013, the CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (CSIR-IIP) lab at Dehradun had produced India's first indigenous bio-jet fuel, but could not be tested or certified for commercial use on aircraft due to lack of test facilities in the civil aviation sector.

In May this year, the formidable workhorse of Indian Air Force (IAF), the Russian made AN-32 aircraft was formally fleet certified to fly on blended aviation fuel containing up to 10% of indigenous bio-jet fuel.

Earlier this month, India's largest car maker Maruti Suzuki India pledged for the usage of all kinds of green technologies, including CNG and hybrid cars, and the increasing use of biofuels.