Author: Bhakti Narayanan

The National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit (NCTAU), operating within the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), has successfully identified and recommended the blocking of more than 100 websites associated with organized investment and part-time job frauds. Acting under the authority granted by the Information Technology Act of 2000, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has implemented blocks on these websites. These platforms were implicated in facilitating organized illegal activities related to investment frauds and part-time job scams. Notably, they were operated by foreign entities employing digital advertisements, chat messengers, and mule or rented accounts. The Ministry’s decisive action aims…

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has introduced “Gram Manchitra”, a Geographic Information System (GIS) application that serves as a unified planning platform for Gram Panchayats. Utilizing geo-spatial technology, this application acts as a comprehensive decision support system for the formulation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP). It provides a visual representation of developmental projects across various sectors, enhancing planning capabilities at the local level. In addition to “Gram Manchitra”, the ministry has unveiled “mActionSoft,” a mobile-based solution designed for capturing project photos with Geo-Tags (GPS Coordinates). This process occurs at different stages of the project, including before commencement, during the…

India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, and US Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, virtually reviewed the India-US CEO Forum. Goyal highlighted the growing convergence of perspectives and strategic interests between the two nations, emphasizing the role of initiatives like QUAD and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF). He encouraged collaboration through platforms such as the Semiconductor Supply Chain, Innovation Handshake, India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, and Global Biofuels Alliance. Key topics discussed included supply chain cooperation in pharma, semiconductors, critical minerals, and energy. The conversation also delved into collaborative opportunities in green tech, scaling up manufacturing for clean tech,…

Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Communications, Electronics & Information Technology, and Railways, announced India’s global standing as the second-largest mobile phone producer. An impressive 99.2% of mobile phones in the country are now “made in India,” surpassing 2 billion units shipped between 2014 and 2022. Mobile phones constitute a significant 43% of all electronics produced in the fiscal year 2021-22, contributing to India’s decline in mobile phone imports by nearly 60% from 2017-18 to 2021-22. Consequently, India has transitioned into a net exporter in the global mobile phone industry. Despite this success, electronic component imports have surged, crossing US$ 25…

On November 30, 2023, India’s Vice-President, Mr. Jagdeep Dhankhar, emphasized India’s prominent position among “Front leagues of nations” in land, sky, sea, and space domains. He highlighted indigenous defence systems’ development and the INS-Vikrant launch as pivotal achievements. Speaking at the 49th Advanced Professional Programme in Public Administration (APPPA) in Delhi, Dhankhar traced India’s transformation from the “Fragile Five” to the “Big Five.” He projected India’s economy, currently the fifth largest globally, to rise to the third position by 2030. Dhankhar underscored the importance of “decision making” for the country’s progress, praising the “Men in Uniform” for their exceptional performance,…

Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for various portfolios, declared on November 30, 2023, that India’s Bioeconomy has witnessed a remarkable 12-fold increase over the past decade. Inaugurating the ‘National Plant Computational Biology & Bioinformatics Facility’ at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research, he noted that the bioeconomy, which stood at approximately US$ 10 billion in 2010, has surged to US$ 120 billion. He anticipates a further growth to US$ 300 billion by 2030, attributing this success to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strategic policies. Dr. Jitendra Singh also introduced ‘ADVIKA,’ a climate-resilient and drought-resistant chickpea variety, marking a…

As per Gartner’s latest forecast, India’s IT spending is projected to reach US$ 124.6 billion in 2024, marking a 10.7% increase from 2023’s flat growth (-0.5%). The surge will be driven by devices, IT services, and software. Notably, the devices and IT services segment shows significant growth, with device spending shifting from a -7% decrease in 2023 to a 10% increase in 2024. Similarly, IT services are anticipated to rise by 14.6% in 2024, following a 6.5% growth in 2023. This aligns with global trends, as Gartner forecasts an overall IT growth of 8% by 2024, up from 3.5% in…

The Indian government has declared that India will assume the chairmanship of the International Sugar Organisation (ISO) in 2024, a significant recognition given India’s status as the world’s largest sugar consumer and the second-largest producer. The declaration occurred at ISO’s 63rd council session convened in London. Expressing pride in this achievement, the food ministry highlighted India’s growing influence in the global sugar sector. During the ISO Council Meeting, Union Food Secretary Mr. Sanjeev Chopra sought support and collaboration from member countries for India’s presidency in 2024. The focus will be on promoting sustainable practices in sugarcane cultivation, sugar, and ethanol…

Economic growth in India is anticipated to have moderated in the September quarter, with a forecasted GDP growth of 6.8%, down from the previous quarter’s 7.8%, as indicated by a Reuters poll of economists. Despite a global slowdown affecting export growth, the robust service activity and solid urban demand are seen as key support factors. Forecasts for the upcoming years suggest India’s economy will grow more than 6.0%, outpacing major economies. Consumer demand, contributing 60% to GDP growth, remained strong, particularly among urban dwellers, despite inflation triggered by an erratic monsoon. Analysts expect resilience in headline growth, citing robust growth…

Union Minister of Heavy Industries, Mr. Mahendra Nath Pandey, emphasized the need for high standards and advanced localization to make India global suppliers. Speaking at the “From Local to Global India – Manufacturing to Self-Reliance” discussion by the Ministry of Heavy Industries, he highlighted India’s swift progress toward economic strength through initiatives like the FAME and PLI schemes, aiming to promote localization and boost employment. The Minister emphasized the significance of the “local to vocal, and then local to global” approach in the Self-reliant India Campaign. Key stakeholders, including Secretary Mr. Kamran Rizvi and senior MHI officers, participated in the…