Author: News Desk

US-based Starlink is planning to establish nine gateway earth stations across India, including locations in Mumbai, Noida, Chandigarh, Kolkata, and Lucknow, as it prepares the infrastructure ahead of the commercial rollout of its satellite communication services in the country, according to sources familiar with the matter. The company has applied for 600 gigabit-per-second capacity over India through its Gen 1 satellite constellation, with the spectrum provisionally assigned for demonstrating security compliance. So far, Starlink has permission to import 100 terminals, limited to testing fixed satellite services. Queries sent to SpaceX, Starlink’s parent company, went unanswered at the time of reporting. To ensure safe operations, stringent security conditions have…

Mehli Mistry, a close confidant of the late Ratan Tata, is set to be considered for reappointment as a trustee of Tata Trusts, potentially securing a lifetime tenure. The proposal, circulated by the CEO of Tata Trusts on October 23, recommends Mistry’s continuation on three key philanthropic bodies: the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, and the Bai Hirabai Jamsetji Tata Navsari Charitable Institution. Tata Trusts declined to comment on the development. Mistry first joined Tata Trusts in 2022, and his current three-year term is set to end on October 28. Earlier this week, the Trusts unanimously…

Bonny Thomas, a 31-year-old Kerala native living in Dubai, won a 250-gram 24K gold bar in Big Ticket’s weekly e-draw. The coordinating officer was stunned when he received a call from Big Ticket host Richard, announcing his win with ticket number 001009. At first, Bonny thought it was a prank. “Yes, I bought a ticket… you want to surprise me?” he asked. Once he recognized Richard’s voice, disbelief turned to pure joy. “Oh my God… is it true?” he exclaimed repeatedly on air. Bonny has lived in Dubai with his family since 2017. He discovered Big Ticket on social media five years…

Kerala-based deep-tech startup Neiox Eco Cycle has secured a Rs 75 lakh prototyping grant from Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) under the USHUS Maritime Innovation Scheme. The grant will fuel the development of what could become a global first — a sustainable, non-toxic, carbon-negative marine hull coating. The cheque was handed over at a ceremony held at IIM Kozhikode, where an official agreement was also signed. The event was attended by Dr. Ashutosh Sarkar, Executive Director of IIM Kozhikode; K.R. Anjana, CSL’s Chief General Manager (Design); Krishna Prasad S., Senior Manager, CSL; and Lijo P. Jose, Senior General Manager, LIVE IIM Kozhikode. The innovative coating developed by Neiox is designed to be anti-corrosive and anti-biofouling,…

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its Payments Systems Report for the half-year ending June 2025, highlighting trends across digital and traditional payment systems. Digital Payments Dominate In H1 2025, total payment transactions reached 12,549 crore, valued at ₹1,572 lakh crore, with digital payments accounting for nearly all growth. Over the last decade, digital transactions in India have grown 38 times by volume and more than three times by value. By CY 2024, digital payments comprised 99.7% of transaction volume and 97.5% of value, rising further to 99.8% and 97.7% respectively in H1 2025. UPI Surges in Popularity The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has become India’s most widely used fast payment system. UPI is mainly used for small-value…

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has handed over ‘Mahe’, the first in a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), to the Indian Navy. At 78 meters long, Mahe is the largest Indian Naval warship powered by a Diesel Engine–Waterjet combination, a major step in India’s indigenous naval design and construction. Built for underwater surveillance, search and rescue, and low-intensity maritime operations, the vessel is also equipped for anti-submarine warfare and advanced mine-laying in coastal waters. According to CSL, the induction of these ASW SWCs will significantly strengthen the Navy’s shallow-water anti-submarine capabilities. The vessel has been designed and built in line with the Classification Rules of Det Norske…

Ed-tech startup Physics Wallah, founded by popular educator Alakh Pandey, has launched its new product, the AI Box, an affordable hardware device that transforms any TV or projector into a full-scale learning system in Hindi. Plugged into a screen, the AI Box provides ready-to-use lessons, quizzes and note-taking functionalities tailored for competitive exams like IIT-JEE, NEET, law and board exams, making it ideal for students who lack access to smartphones or reliable Internet connections. The goal is to reach smaller towns, villages and underserved classrooms where tech-barriers limit educational access. According to the company, the device supports YouTube and other apps, enabling a…

India’s ambition to electrify public transport under the PM E-Drive Scheme has hit a major roadblock. The largest-ever tender for 10,000 electric buses, floated by Convergence Energy Services Limited (CESL), is facing mounting challenges, raising concerns over project timelines and viability. According to reports, several state transport undertakings have not yet developed the necessary charging and maintenance infrastructure, making large-scale deployment difficult. CESL’s tender sought to aggregate demand across states for maximum efficiency, but uneven readiness has made execution complex. Adding to the problem are high bidding costs, as manufacturers cite a sharp rise in input prices, especially for battery packs, powertrains, and imported components. The rupee’s volatility and global…

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) will deploy Network Survey Vehicles (NSVs) across 23 states to cover 20,933 kilometres of national highways. These vehicles will gather, process, and analyse detailed information on road inventory and pavement conditions to support improved maintenance and asset management. The NSVs will detect defects such as potholes, cracks, and uneven surfaces to assess the structural and surface quality of highways. This technology-based approach allows NHAI to prioritise maintenance more accurately and efficiently, improving road safety and upkeep. Data collected by the NSVs will be uploaded to NHAI’s AI-enabled Data Lake platform. A team of experts will analyse the information…

On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, the Ministry of Information Technology proposed new rules to label, trace, and regulate deepfake and AI-generated content under India’s IT Rules, a move experts say aims to ensure authenticity in digital content. The proposed rules would require social media platforms to have users declare if they are posting AI-generated deepfake content that could potentially harm individuals, organizations, or the government. Amendments to IT Rules 2021 add accountability for State and Central governmentsPavan Duggal, a Supreme Court advocate specializing in cyberlaw and AI law, described the proposed changes as a “historic leap” in digital legislation, addressing…