CENTRE S DIGITAL INDIA
Digital life certificates cross 40 lakh in first 5 days of campaign, up 60% from last year
Nearly 40 lakh digital life certificates have been generated by pensioners in the initial days of the campaign. This represents a 60% increase compared to the same period last year. Face authentication has significantly improved, accounting for 80% of the certificates generated recently. The government aims to simplify the process for pensioners, allowing digital submission of life certificates. Efforts are underway to improve access to pension services across various locations.
Activists breach Microsoft data centre construction site as protests spread in Europe
Activist groups have announced actions in 16 countries on Friday and Saturday, according to the "Stop Dirty Data Centres" coalition, which is rallying environmental groups and digital rights campaigns behind calls to pause large-scale construction.
Aadhaar App: 300 organisations adopt offline verification system; users can verify identity without photocopies
In a significant move, UIDAI has rolled out its offline verification service to incorporate 300 organizations spanning diverse sectors like hospitality, healthcare, education, and consumer services. This initiative enables users to validate their identities through the Aadhaar App, which boasts upgraded security features. Consequently, the requirement for physical Aadhaar cards during transactions is eliminated, showcasing the increasing importance of Aadhaar in routine transactions, extending well beyond governmental functionality.
IPO-bound BRND.ME’s Villain enters new category to tap a multi-billion fragrance market
BRND.ME is diversifying its Villain fragrance brand into the unisex market. The release of two new Eau de Parfums, named Muse and V-Code, marks a significant milestone in meeting the preferences of the younger Gen Z audience that favors inclusive scents. Supported by strong distribution and a powerful online presence, this expansion signifies BRND.ME's ambitious plans for an IPO and further global reach.
Indian GCCs set to add 35k jobs in 2027
ANSR expects these jobs – ranging from 30,000 to 35,000 - to be added by 160-175 new greenfield GCCs amid an increasing number of inquiries from US mid-sized companies. The caveat emptor: Experts say this interest is yet to translate into plans for large-scale relocation of jobs from the US.
UPI MDR proposal: Street vendors may pass on charges to customers or switch to cash, ISB survey finds
Payments by street vendors exceeding Rs 2,000 may incur charges under the proposed merchant discount rate framework. Many vendors may switch to cash transactions if additional costs are imposed by suppliers. Awareness of the framework varies among vendors in different city tiers, affecting their payment acceptance practices. A significant percentage of Tier 1 vendors are likely to pass on additional charges to customers.
Budget 2027–28: ASSOCHAM calls for tax reforms to boost investment, manufacturing, ease of doing business and tax certainty
ASSOCHAM has called for a series of Direct and Indirect Tax reforms in the Union Budget 2027–28 to boost investment, strengthen domestic manufacturing, attract foreign capital and improve ease of doing business.
Delhi Police files FIR against Meta India over child sexual abuse material on its platforms
In response to directives from the National Human Rights Commission, Delhi Police has launched an FIR against Meta India, concerning the alarming presence of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Material on its platforms. This follows previous summons from the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. As a proactive measure, Meta India is now coordinating with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre to report child safety violations.
SBI-led banking alliance comes together to mount a defence to AI threats
Indian Banks' Association, led by State Bank of India, is developing a strategy for cybersecurity in the AI era. The initiative focuses on improving coordination among banks and facilitating timely information sharing. Increasing digitalization has expanded the potential for cyberattacks, urging immediate measures to mitigate risks.
Midterm results may slow US visa curbs, but no quick relief likely for IT
The opposition party’s takeover of both chambers of US Congress is expected to bring greater scrutiny of the administration’s policy decisions, potentially slowing further restrictions, industry experts told ET. However, any improvement in sentiment is unlikely to translate quickly into higher hiring or technology spending.
Unilever announces €35 million investment for R&D expansion in India’s Mumbai and Bengaluru hubs
Unilever announced a plan to invest an additional €35 million in its Indian research and development operations. The investment aims to enhance product innovation and biotechnology capabilities at its Mumbai and Bengaluru centers. Unilever has already invested €20 million over the past five years towards developing various research facilities in India.
India's payments authority NPCI forms unit to push into AI, blockchain tech
The National Payments Corporation of India has created a technology subsidiary known as NPCI Tech Solutions Limited. This new unit will focus on advancements in AI, blockchain, and digital financial infrastructure. Vishal Kanvaty has been appointed as the managing director and CEO of the subsidiary. NTSL aims to enhance capabilities beyond NPCI's core payments responsibilities. The initiative highlights India's commitment to developing its banking and financial services technology landscape.
India's payments authority NPCI forms unit to push into AI, blockchain tech
The payments authority's chief technology officer Vishal Kanvaty, who has been associated with NPCI for nearly a decade, has been appointed the managing director and CEO of NTSL, it said.
Emomee calls for stronger regulation of children’s digital content
Emomee, a children's entertainment company, emphasises the need for better regulation of digital content for young viewers. The company's founders, motivated by their children's viewing experiences, focus on creating quality educational programming. Recently, Emomee launched a series on Netflix and is exploring global partnerships for distribution. They are also developing physical products and considering live events to engage audiences.
OneStack raises Rs 12.5 crore to take cooperative banks deeper into UPI ecosystem
OneStack, a fintech provider, secured ₹12.5 crore funding to enhance cooperative bank participation in UPI payments. The funding will help expand services among cooperative banks and NBFCs while developing compliance offerings. Partner banks can now act as UPI issuers and acquirers, which improves revenue opportunities. This shift allows banks to maintain direct relationships with customers and merchants while managing transaction data.
S&P affirms Reliance Industries' 'A-' credit rating, cites Jio listing, stronger earnings
S&P Global Ratings has affirmed Reliance Industries’ (RIL) ‘A-’ long-term issuer credit rating with a stable outlook, citing resilient earnings, strong cash generation and improved funding flexibility following the listing of Jio Platforms.
NTT Data to nearly triple Mangaluru workforce to over 2,500 by 2027
The company entered Mangaluru through its acquisition of local cloud engineering company Niveus Solutions, and is looking to use the city as a base for developing specialised technology capabilities. Its focus areas include healthcare and life sciences, automotive, manufacturing, high technology, AI and data.
India, EU discuss FTA implementation ahead of December signing
In an effort to advance their free trade agreement, India and the European Union held pivotal discussions led by Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, who visited Brussels for dialogues with prominent EU officials. Central to the talks were customs cooperation and trade facilitation, deemed critical for the agreement's efficacy. Additionally, industry stakeholders from the diamond sector were engaged to harness opportunities within India's expanding market.
See data centres less as energy-sucking private warehouses, and more as quasi-public utilities
We need data centres. They run far more than ChatGPT. Search, banking, streaming, social networks, cloud software, government services, hospitals and almost every company's digital operations depend on them. AI simply raises the requirement dramatically. Google says its Vizag hub will provide new subsea connectivity for India. IEA says electricity use by AI-focused data centres jumped 50% in 2025. A country without serious compute infrastructure risks becoming a consumer, rather than a producer, of the AI revolution.
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