Technology

New Delhi, Aug 6 (IANS) BRICS nations have a unique opportunity to strengthen manufacturing competitiveness, deepen technological collaboration, build resilient value chains and promote sustainable industrial growth, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday.

Addressing the BRICS Industry Ministers' Meeting in Jaipur under India's BRICS 2026 Chairship, Goyal said the discussions focused on the future of industrial cooperation and economic collaboration among BRICS member nations.

“Delighted to address the BRICS Industry Ministers’ Meeting in Jaipur under India’s BRICS 2026 Chairship, where we discussed the future of industrial cooperation and economic collaboration,” Goyal stated.

“Emphasised that BRICS nations have a unique opportunity to strengthen manufacturing competitiveness, deepen technological collaboration, build resilient value chains, and promote sustainable industrial growth,” he mentioned.

He said India highlighted its priorities of strengthening micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), fostering startup innovation, expanding clean energy cooperation and building technology-enabled logistics ecosystems to drive sustainable industrial development.

The minister said a key outcome of the meeting was the adoption of the Joint Declaration, which reaffirmed the member countries' shared commitment to advancing practical cooperation under the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR).

“Also highlighted India’s priorities of strengthening MSMEs, fostering startup innovation, expanding clean energy cooperation, and building technology-enabled logistics ecosystems,” the minister stated.

“A key outcome of the meeting was the adoption of the Joint Declaration, reaffirming our shared commitment to advancing practical cooperation under the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR) and strengthening collaboration across industrial innovation, clean energy, logistics, and resilient manufacturing,” Goyal added.

According to Goyal, the declaration also underscored the resolve of BRICS nations to strengthen collaboration in industrial innovation, clean energy, logistics and resilient manufacturing.

He further said that, guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision, India remains committed to strengthening partnerships across the expanded BRICS family and translating dialogue into meaningful outcomes for shared growth and prosperity.

“Guided by PM Narendra Modi’s vision, India remains committed to strengthening partnerships across the expanded BRICS family and translating dialogue into meaningful outcomes for shared growth and prosperity,” Goyal mentioned.

--IANS

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Patna, Aug 6 (IANS) Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Thursday inaugurated a two-day orientation programme for members of the Bihar Legislature on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the implementation of the Mukhyamantri Kshetra Vikas Yojana (Chief Minister’s Area Development Scheme).

The event, held at the Vistar Bhavan of the Bihar Legislative Assembly, began with the ceremonial lighting of a lamp.

During the programme, the Chief Minister also launched the Project Monitoring System web portal for the Area Development Scheme through a video presentation. The portal is aimed at improving transparency, monitoring and execution of development projects undertaken by legislators.

Addressing MLAs and MLCs, Choudhary said AI and digital technology have become indispensable tools for governance, administration and development.

He noted that while computers had limited applications two decades ago, artificial intelligence is now transforming public administration and urged legislators to make full use of these technologies to improve public outreach and ensure comprehensive development of their constituencies.

The Chief Minister highlighted the potential of AI in preparing estimates for development projects. He said the Road Construction Department had achieved cost savings of 5–7 per cent by using AI to verify project estimates, allowing the savings to be redirected towards additional development works.

He cautioned that failing to embrace AI and digital technologies could leave Bihar behind in the race for development.

Choudhary said the state government is already using AI and digital systems in several public welfare initiatives, including institutional processes and the issuance of ration cards to nearly one crore eligible beneficiaries.

He added that farmers are undergoing digital verification and that the government aims to link 60 lakh farmers through digital identities.

He urged legislators to make effective use of technology-based monitoring systems to ensure better implementation of government schemes.

Emphasising the importance of digital literacy, the Chief Minister said computer education is already being imparted in schools but must be further strengthened to meet the demands of the digital era.

He also announced that an Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science University is being established in Muzaffarpur.

Choudhary further proposed regular training programmes on artificial intelligence, computers and social media for ministers, MLAs, MLCs and their staff. Hence, they stay up to date with emerging technologies and can serve the public more effectively.

Referring to the agriculture sector, he said weather stations have been installed in all panchayats across Bihar.

He added that 70-80 per cent of farming is expected to adopt smart irrigation technology in the future, which would significantly benefit agriculture and rural development.

Concluding his address, the Chief Minister described Bihar as the “Mother of Democracy” and said that integrating modern technologies, such as AI, into governance would strengthen democratic institutions and improve public service delivery.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 6 (IANS) The Centre has enacted or strengthened rules including IT Rules to curb AI‑generated deepfakes, and reduced timelines for removal of unlawful content, an official statement said on Thursday.

Intermediaries are now required to take down unlawful information upon intimation within three hours instead of 36, and grievance redressal deadlines have been cut from 24 hours to two hours for sensitive cases such as nudity or impersonation, MoS, Electronics and Information Technology said Jitin Prasada in Lok Sabha.

The government remains conscious of the threats posed by deepfakes powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), including synthetic audio, video and text, the minister said.

It has strengthened the regulatory framework through amendments to the IT Rules, 2021 to address harms arising from synthetically generated information (SGI), including deepfakes and AI-generated content.

Intermediaries are required to ensure clear labelling and traceable metadata for permissible AI-generated content, so that users can easily identify synthetically generated material and prevent deception or misuse.

It further strengthens user accountability and platform due diligence, including mandatory user awareness regarding legal consequences of unlawful AI-generated content and stronger compliance obligations for social media intermediaries.

The guidelines explicitly cover child sexual exploitation material, non-consensual intimate imagery, impersonation and other harmful AI-generated content, requiring platforms to prevent such content and take prompt action when detected.

Intermediaries must deploy reasonable and appropriate technical measures, including automated tools or other suitable mechanisms, to not allow any user to create, generate, modify, alter, publish, transmit, share, or disseminate any synthetically generated information that violates any law, the minister noted.

The minister mentioned initiatives related to deepfake detection including Saakshya, multi-agent framework developed by IIT Jodhpur & IIT Madras for deep fake detection; AI Vishleshak for improving Audio-Visual forgery detection system and IIT Kharagpur’s project on Real-Time Voice Deepfake Detection System.

Intermediaries are required to appoint Grievance Officers and resolve complaints within the prescribed timelines.

The government has set up an appellate forum at the Central level to challenge decisions of intermediaries. Users can appeal online at this portal if their complaints are not addressed by the intermediaries’ Grievance Officers.

SAHYOG Portal enables automated, centralized removal notices to intermediaries. Government and its authorised agencies across India use it to request removal of unlawful content.

—IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 6 (IANS) India Inc.'s June quarter (Q1 FY27) earnings have exceeded expectations despite losses in oil marketing companies (OMCs), with banking & financial services (BFSI), metals, technology and automobiles driving corporate profitability, a report said on Thursday.

The report from brokerage firm Motilal Oswal Financial Services' Ltd (MOFSL) said that earnings grew 17 per cent year-on-year, excluding OMCs, highlighting “the underlying strength in corporate earnings despite pressure from elevated crude oil prices.”

After analysing companies that account for around 70 per cent of the estimated profits in all major sectors, the report said overall earnings grew 2 per cent year-on-year, significantly outperforming expectations of a 10 per cent decline.

The earnings growth was led by banking & financial services (20 per cent), metals (53 per cent), technology (11 per cent) and automobiles (7 per cent).

Among the 39 Nifty companies that have reported so far, earnings grew 11 per cent year-on-year, higher than expectations of 7 per cent. Nearly 49 per cent of companies exceeded profit estimates of the brokerage, the report said. Only 22 per cent companies missed expectations, reflecting the broad strength of the earnings season.

The biggest drags on earnings were oil market companies, cement, aviation and healthcare, reflecting the impact of elevated crude oil prices and weakness in select sectors.

Large-cap companies posted 6 per cent earnings growth. Mid-cap earnings declined 31 per cent, primarily due to losses in the OMC segment.

However, excluding OMCs, mid-cap earnings grew 25 per cent year-on-year. Small-cap companies emerged as the strongest performers, reporting 32 per cent earnings growth, supported by financials and a favourable base effect.

The report noted that the Q1FY27 earnings saw the pace of earnings downgrades moderating, but cautioned that geopolitical uncertainties, elevated energy prices and a robust pipeline of IPOs and capital-raising activity could keep markets volatile in the coming quarters.

—IANS

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Mumbai, Aug 6 (IANS) Blue Star Limited on Thursday reported a 15.3 per cent year-on-year (YoY) decline in net profit for the June quarter (Q1 FY27), as margin pressure and lower operating profitability offset healthy growth in revenue.

The cooling products and refrigeration major posted profit of Rs 102.5 crore for the quarter despite reporting a one-time gain.

In the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year (Q1 FY26), the firm reported a profit of Rs 121 crore, according to its stock exchange filing.

The air-conditioning and commercial refrigeration company registered strong revenue growth during the quarter, with revenue rising 13.3 per cent year-on-year to Rs 3,378 crore from Rs 2,982 crore.

However, operating performance weakened during the period. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) declined 12.3 per cent to Rs 175 crore from Rs 200 crore a year earlier.

EBITDA margin contracted to 5.2 per cent from 6.7 per cent in the year-ago quarter, as per its regulatory filing.

The company said the quarter's earnings included a one-time gain of Rs 9.2 crore, as per its filing.

Meanwhile, tax expenses declined to Rs 32.1 crore from Rs 42.4 crore in the corresponding quarter last financial year.

Following the announcements, the shares of the company were trading at Rs 1,565.40, down by 5.98 per cent or Rs 99.60.

Founded in 1943, Blue Star is among India's leading air-conditioning and commercial refrigeration companies.

The company manufactures and markets a broad range of cooling solutions, including room air conditioners, commercial air-conditioning systems, refrigeration products and cold-chain equipment.

Apart from its product business, Blue Star also undertakes mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) as well as electro-mechanical projects across commercial, industrial and infrastructure sectors.

With manufacturing facilities located across India and operations spanning multiple international markets, the company caters to residential, commercial and institutional customers through a diversified portfolio of cooling and engineering solutions.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 5 (IANS) India should convert its scale, talent and digital public infrastructure into lasting technological leverage in artificial intelligence (AI) rather than merely seeking ways to avoid dependence, a new report has said.

The report from India Narrative called AI a "deeply interconnected technological system", which is bound to have dependencies and hence India should not fall into the illusion of targeting autonomy.

"The objective must be strategic agency: the ability to shape options, influence standards and make choices that others must take seriously," former Indian Foreign Secretary, Nirupama Rao, wrote in a piece for the publication.

Artificial intelligence is a technological revolution, an economic opportunity and threat to employment, the report said, but beyond these, India should recognise that AI is quickly becoming an organising principle of international power.

AI will shape military capability, industrial competitiveness and diplomatic influence, Rao wrote, calling it the ground zero on which the future distribution of global power may be decided.

"The countries that dominate advanced computing, semiconductor design, data infrastructure, frontier models and the scientific talent behind them will possess advantages extending far beyond the technology sector," the report said.

The opinion piece called for the policy makers to prioritise managed interdependence built on diversified partnerships, stronger domestic research and manufacturing, and investments in energy and computing infrastructure.

“France, Germany, the Netherlands and the Nordic countries can be valuable partners in research, manufacturing, energy-efficient computing and governance. Singapore offers regulatory and technological sophistication,” the report mentioned.

Similarly, the Gulf states bring capital, energy and ambitions to become major centres of computing infrastructure.

India should also avoid the illusions that access to global markets makes domestic capability unnecessary.

The report suggested that strong indigenous competence in critical areas, diversified supply chains, trusted international partnerships and enough domestic knowledge to innovate can replace imported systems.

The report highlighted India's strengths to scale AI power such as the country's scale, huge technology workforce, a strong entrepreneurial sector, extensive digital public infrastructure and ties with advanced and developing economies.

India AI Mission aims to convert some of these strengths into national capability.

The government at the 2026 'India AI Impact Summit' announced that over 38,000 GPUs had already been provisioned under the mission, with plans to add another 20,000.

—IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 5 (IANS) Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Wednesday apologised over the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), deepfake content and shortcomings in the operation of the company's platforms.

According to government sources, Zuckerberg acknowledged concerns raised by the government regarding the spread of objectionable and manipulated content and expressed regret over what were described as errors in the operation of the platform.

“Mark Zuckerberg sent his apologies for the CSAM content, deepfake content and errors in operating the platform,” government sources said.

Sources further claimed that it was communicated to the company that its role in selecting and distributing content to users could place it outside the definition of a neutral intermediary under Indian law.

They said authorities made it clear that the "safe harbour" protections available under the Information Technology Act may not be applicable if a platform is found to be actively determining which content reaches users.

“It was made clear to them that they are not covered under Intermediary definition. They select who receives the content. Safe harbour under IT Act not applicable. They admitted that a lot of money was paid for boosting certain type of content. They apologised and regretted the mistake,” the sources added.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, IT Ministry sources said that social media platforms, including Meta, must comply with the law of the land as a parliamentary panel asked Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to issue an "unqualified apology" within three days over the brief removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Facebook post recently.

Meta stands to lose its “safe harbour protection” in India if it fails to do so in the stipulated deadline, the IT Ministry sources added earlier in the day.

A high-level Meta delegation met IT Secretary S. Krishnan in the national capital to discuss the erroneous takedown of the Prime Minister's video. They were also scheduled to meet Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 5 (IANS) India’s shift to electric vehicles is becoming a key economic driver, with EV sales rising 46-fold from about 50,000 units in 2016 to 2.3 million units in 2025 and the market is projected to grow to $191.04 billion by 2034 at a CAGR of 54.94 per cent, the government said on Wednesday.

India’s growth has outpaced global trends, where EV sales increased roughly 20 times- from 9.18 lakh in 2016 to 18.78 million in 2024, an official statement said.

The EV battery market is likely to grow from $2.71 billion in 2025 to $15.90 billion by 2034 at a CAGR of 21.70 per cent. India aims for 30 per cent of all vehicle sales to be electric by 2030 and plans 1.32 million charging stations by 2030 to strengthen the ecosystem.

India’s EV penetration rose from about one‑fifth of global levels in 2020 to over two‑fifth in 2024 and much of the growth has been driven by motorised two‑wheelers (12.8 lakh units) and three‑wheelers (8 lakh units) sold in 2025.

Further, Indian EVs have begun making strong headway in international markets and exports have risen from $1.2 million in 2020 to $84 million in 2024.

Top export destinations were Nepal, Indonesia and Japan, the statement said.

On the infrastructure side, India’s public EV charging network is expanding rapidly. According to Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), 16,561 of the 52,718 public charging stations available as of July 2026 are equipped with fast EV charging facilities.

The statement said investment activity remains strong, with the sector raising about $1.4 billion in FY25, nearly 27 per cent higher than 2024.

EV manufacturers attracted the bulk of this funding, securing around $1.2 billion and Delhi emerged as the top city for EV investments.

The government has been driving electric mobility since 2015 with multiple schemes for the auto industry such as FAME, PLI scheme for Advanced Chemistry Cells and battery localisation.

—IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 4 (IANS) The PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana -- the world's largest domestic rooftop solar programme -- has crossed the milestone of benefiting more than 50.06 lakh households across the country, the government said on Tuesday.

According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the achievement comes just over two years after the launch of the scheme and marks a sharp acceleration compared with the 7.94 lakh rooftop solar installations recorded during the previous decade.

The scheme has an outlay of Rs 75,021 crore and is emerging as one of the fastest-growing clean energy initiatives globally.

It is now benefiting around one lakh households every six days, the government said.

In addition, the pace of installations has increased more than three-fold over the last nine months, rising from 5,038 installations per day in October 2025 to nearly 16,328 installations per day in July 2026.

July 2026 alone witnessed a record 5.06 lakh households benefiting under the scheme, the highest monthly figure since its launch.

To support the expansion, the government has released Rs 28,024 crore in subsidies directly to beneficiaries through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.

As a result, nearly 19 lakh households are now receiving zero electricity bills, while more than 12 lakh households earned a combined Rs 421 crore through the sale of surplus power during FY25 and generated an average additional income of around Rs 3,500 annually per household.

Around 1.6 lakh installations have been completed for PMAY, BPL and SC/ST households across four states, with the model approved for rollout in 12 states, according to the government.

It further highlighted that the programme has also generated employment and business opportunities across the solar value chain.

Additionally, 34,219 vendors have been registered under the scheme, of which 29,469 are currently active and more than 2.32 lakh people have been trained under various capacity-building initiatives.

Cumulatively, 14.8 GW of rooftop solar capacity has been commissioned under the scheme so far.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 3 (IANS) Apex industry body ASSOCHAM has signed strategic agreements with Business France and the India & Arab Countries Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (IACCIA) to boost trade, investment and business collaboration between India, France and Arab nations, it was announced on Monday.

The industry body stated that the agreements -- signed during the ASSOCHAM MoU Signing Ceremony -- are aimed at deepening India's global economic partnerships through institutional collaboration, business exchanges, investment facilitation, technology partnerships and improved market access across multiple sectors.

Under the partnership with Business France, the two organisations will work together to promote trade and investment opportunities, encourage technology collaborations and joint ventures, support business delegations, exchange market intelligence, and organise trade fairs, exhibitions, conferences and other business promotion activities.

Speaking on the occasion, ASSOCHAM Secretary General Saurabh Sanyal said India's growing engagement with global markets presents significant opportunities for businesses to expand partnerships, investments and innovation.

"These collaborations with Business France and IACCIA reflect our commitment to building stronger institutional linkages that enable enterprises to connect, explore new markets, and create sustainable long-term value," he said.

Vianney Meynier, Head of the Agricultural Export Division at Business France, said the partnership reinforces efforts to support stronger business ties between French and Indian enterprises through greater engagement among companies, institutions and investors.

Dr Waiel S.H. Awwad, Secretary General (In-charge) of IACCIA, said the agreement provides an important platform to facilitate business interaction, encourage investment partnerships and strengthen commercial cooperation between India and the Arab region.

The MoU signed with IACCIA focuses on promoting bilateral trade and investment between India and Arab countries through business delegations, exchange of trade and investment information, facilitation of joint ventures and technology transfer, and organisation of business events aimed at helping enterprises explore new markets.

In addition, the agreement is expected to further strengthen economic engagement between India and France by creating platforms for greater interaction between companies, investors and institutions.

--IANS

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