Author: News Desk

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…

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will officially declare the state free from extreme poverty at a ceremony scheduled for November 1, 2025, at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. The event will feature special guests actors Mohanlal, Mammootty, and Kamal Haasan, and all state ministers along with the Leader of the Opposition have been invited, said Local Self-Government Minister M.B. Rajesh. Background of the Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme The programme began in 2021 as one of the first Cabinet decisions of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government. According to a NITI Aayog study in 2021, Kerala had the lowest poverty rate in India at 0.7% of the population. The government launched targeted efforts to…

Actor-turned-politician Smriti Irani has confirmed that Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates will appear in a special episode of the popular television show ‘Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2’. Irani described his participation as a historic moment for Indian entertainment. Focus on Women’s and Children’s Health The upcoming episode aims to spotlight important social themes, particularly the health of women and children. Irani emphasized that these issues have long been sidelined in mainstream discussions. In an interview with CNBC-TV18, she said, “This marks a historic moment in Indian entertainment. For far too long, women and children’s health has remained on the margins of mainstream dialogue. This initiative…

The Trump administration has confirmed that the recently announced $100,000 fee for H-1B visa sponsorship will not apply to international graduates or current visa holders already in the United States. This decision comes after weeks of uncertainty following the original proclamation, which had raised alarm among Indian professionals, U.S. employers, and immigration attorneys. Existing Visa Holders Exempted According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the fee does not apply to anyone with a valid visa, including: The USCIS clarified that the proclamation “does not apply to any previously issued and currently valid H-1B visas, or any petitions submitted prior to 12:01 a.m. ET on…

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has launched a pilot project bringing a touch of Rajasthan’s textile heritage to train travel. Select air-conditioned coaches will now feature blanket covers adorned with traditional Sanganeri prints, aiming to improve both passenger comfort and hygiene. The initiative was unveiled at Khatipura Railway Station, Jaipur, on Thursday. First Passengers to Experience the New Covers On its inaugural run, passengers aboard the Jaipur-Ahmedabad (Asarva) Express at 8:45 p.m. received the colorful, washable blankets. The project responds to ongoing passenger feedback regarding the cleanliness of shared blankets on overnight journeys. Minister Vaishnaw Highlights Purpose Minister Vaishnaw explained that the covers are designed for…

Zoho Corporation is entering the consumer payments space with Zoho Pay, a new app designed to let users send money, pay bills, and make quick transfers directly within its chat platform, Arattai. The goal is to make transactions as seamless as having a conversation. Payments Integrated Within Arattai Zoho Pay is being tested internally and will soon be available both as a standalone app and as a feature within Arattai. Users will be able to send money to friends or pay for services without leaving the chat interface. Arattai already supports messaging, calls, and file sharing, and Zoho Pay adds payments to this suite, creating an all-in-one…

Despite recent friendly exchanges between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and U.S. President Donald Trump, differences have resurfaced regarding their latest conversation. India has denied that Pakistan was discussed during Trump’s Diwali phone call to Modi, countering the U.S. president’s statement made earlier this week. No Discussion on Pakistan Trump claimed that he spoke with Modi about avoiding a war between India and Pakistan. However, Indian officials clarified that “Pakistan was not discussed during the call.” This is the second time in two weeks that India has disputed Trump’s version of events. Earlier, India also denied Trump’s remark that Modi had…

India’s premier space agency, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), has officially opened its Recruitment 2025 drive for the post of Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’. More than 300 vacancies are available across key branches such as Electronics, Mechanical, and Computer Science. Selected candidates will be placed at Level 10 of the Pay Matrix, starting with a basic salary of ₹56,100 per month, and total pay — including allowances — can reach up to ₹1,77,500 per month, depending on the discipline and experience. Eligibility:Applicants must hold a BE/BTech degree in a relevant discipline with at least 65% marks or CGPA 6.84/10 from a recognized…