Author: News Desk

Microsoft is putting $17.5 billion into India’s cloud and AI backbone, the largest amount it has ever committed to any Asian market. This four-year plan builds on the $3 billion it announced in January and signals how central India has become to its long-term strategy. What the investment covers The money goes toward expanding hyperscale cloud capacity, weaving AI into national digital platforms, and boosting the country’s talent pipeline. Microsoft also plans to strengthen both its Sovereign Public Cloud and Sovereign Private Cloud services across multiple regions in India. Why now The announcement came right after Satya Nadella met Prime…

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani has announced an ambitious investment of over USD 75 billion in the energy transition space over the next five years, marking one of the largest private commitments to clean energy globally. Speaking at the centenary celebrations of Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), he said India must define its own development path while balancing sustainability goals. A key pillar of this strategy is the development of the world’s largest renewable energy park at Khavda in Gujarat, spread across 520 sq km. Once fully operational by 2030, the park will generate 30 GW of green energy, enough to…

The government of India has officially rolled out the e-Passport, a digitally enhanced version of the traditional passport that integrates both physical and digital security features. The e-Passport comes with a built-in RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) chip and antenna in its cover. This chip securely stores biometric information, including fingerprints, facial images, and other personal data, making the document far more secure and tamper-resistant. Among its chief benefits: faster immigration clearance thanks to automated identity verification at e-gates; reduced risk of identity fraud and forgery; and worldwide compatibility under global aviation standards. Indian citizens eligible for a regular passport can apply…

UPI users in India can now make digital payments even without an internet connection using USSD and missed-call based services. This facility is available through National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and works across major banks and telecom operators. Users need to dial the *USSD code 99# from their registered mobile number to access offline UPI services. Once connected, a menu appears allowing customers to choose options such as Send Money, Request Money, Check Balance, View Transaction History, or Change UPI PIN. The service works on both smartphones and feature phones, making it especially useful in rural areas and low-network zones. Transactions can be made up to ₹5,000 per transaction, and users can also link Aadhaar numbers or bank accounts…

Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture Starlink briefly ignited excitement across India after its website accidentally displayed preliminary pricing for residential services. The listing showed a monthly subscription fee of ₹8,600 and a one-time hardware cost of ₹34,000 for the Starlink kit, which includes a satellite dish, Wi-Fi router and required cables. It also mentioned unlimited data and a 30-day trial period. However, the numbers vanished soon after. Lauren Dreyer, Vice President of Starlink Business Operations, clarified that the figures were the result of a “configuration glitch” that exposed dummy test data, not the final pricing. She confirmed that Starlink’s India…

Cricket superstar Virat Kohli has invested ₹40 crore to acquire a minority stake in Bengaluru-based Agilitas Sports, a move that will transfer ownership of his athleisure brand One8 to the company. Agilitas, founded by former Puma-India boss Abhishek Ganguly, aims to reposition One8 as a high-performance, India-grown sportswear brand with global ambitions. According to media reports, the startup plans to manufacture sportswear, footwear and accessories, distributing them via omnichannel retail, including online sale, exclusive stores and international expansion by 2026–27. The deal marks Kohli’s departure from a long-standing endorsement relationship with global brands, signaling a shift toward direct business involvement…

A landmark step for India’s defence aviation sector: Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) and Lockheed Martin have broken ground on a dedicated Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Bengaluru to service the C-130J Super Hercules aircraft fleet. The new facility is expected to be completed by end-2026, with the first C-130J aircraft slated to arrive for maintenance in early 2027. It will offer full-spectrum depot-level support — heavy maintenance, structural inspections, component repairs, avionics upgrades, structural restoration and comprehensive overhaul. Besides sustaining the Indian Air Force’s existing fleet of C-130Js, the MRO hub is designed to serve regional and global…

The IRCTC has announced new berth-allocation norms aimed at improving comfort and accessibility for vulnerable travellers. Under the revised policy, senior citizens, pregnant women, and other eligible categories will now receive preference for lower berths when booking train tickets. This move is part of Indian Railways’ continuing efforts to ease travel for passengers with special needs, ensuring safer and more convenient journeys. Previously, securing a lower berth often depended on availability and manual request; now, the system incorporates automated checks to assign lower berths at booking time where possible. The update benefits a wide range of passengers: elderly travellers who…

India is stepping into a new era of missile warfare with the planned first flight test of BrahMos-II, its next-generation hypersonic cruise missile, targeted for 2027–28. The project is being developed under the BrahMos Aerospace framework with the involvement of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and is seen as one of the country’s most ambitious defence technology programmes. Unlike the current BrahMos supersonic missile, BrahMos-II is designed to operate at hypersonic speeds, reportedly between Mach 6 and Mach 8. At these velocities, the missile would be capable of penetrating even the most advanced air-defence systems, drastically reducing the…

For the first time in the state’s history, 1,183 Gen Z candidates are contesting Kerala’s local body elections, marking a significant shift in grassroots politics. These candidates, all under the age of 25, include 917 young women and 266 young men representing various political parties. Among them, 149 candidates are just 21 years old, the minimum eligible age to contest, with 130 women and 19 men seeking voter support across three-tier panchayat wards. Student leaders from organisations such as SFI, KSU, ABVP, MSF and AISF have entered the fray, reflecting growing political inclusivity. Mainstream parties have opened doors for young…