Technology

New Delhi, March 30 (IANS) The Indian rupee on Monday crossed the 95 per dollar mark for the first time, hitting 95.2 against the US dollar, down 0.3 per cent.

It ended at a record closing low of 94.83 per dollar, compared to Friday's close of 94.81.

The currency has depreciated by 4.4 per cent against the US dollar in the March quarter.

The rupee, which had opened on a strong note after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reduced the net open position limit that banks can keep overnight to $100 million, erased its gains and fell 160 paise from its opening level.

Moreover, the rupee fell about 1 per cent last week, its fourth consecutive weekly decline of a similar magnitude to hit a record low of 94.84 against the dollar.

After market hours on Friday, the central bank said banks must ensure that by April 10, their net open rupee positions in the onshore deliverable market do not exceed $100 million at the end of each business day.

Estimates suggest that the magnitude of these positions ranges from $25 billion to over $50 billion.

Worries over elevated oil prices have put Indian stocks on course for their worst monthly drop since March 2020 and bonds on track for their weakest fiscal year since 2023.

Escalation in the West Asia conflict has also pushed up global crude oil prices.

Brent crude futures jumped 3 per cent to an intra-day high of $116.70 per barrel, nearing a fresh 52-week high. Meanwhile, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose over 3 per cent to cross $103 per barrel.

In March, the rupee fell by more than 4 per cent amid the geo-political tensions.

On the domestic equity market front, the Sensex settled at 71,947.55, down 1,635.67 points or 2.2 per cent, while the Nifty closed at 22,331.40, lower by 488.20 points or 2.14 per cent.

Foreign institutional investors sold equities worth Rs 4,367.30 crore on a net basis on Friday, according to exchange data.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 28 (IANS) The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Delhi Police to deploy nine advanced solutions, purpose-built for modern policing requirements in the national capital, an official statement said on Saturday.

The partnership aims to "leverage C-DOT's portfolio of cutting-edge, homegrown technological solutions to boost the operational efficiency, secure communications, surveillance, cybersecurity, and emergency response capabilities of Delhi Police."

C‑DOT will deploy solutions including a Facial Recognition System (FRS)/FraudPro for suspect or missing person identification and crowd monitoring.

It can identify repeat offenders through photograph-matching with available databases, strengthening investigation processes, crowd monitoring, and identity verification during law-and-order deployments, the statement said.

SAMVAD, a unified communication platform for one-to-one and group chats, audio/video calls, and official data sharing, enabling seamless and secure coordination across units, districts, and specialised branches during both routine operations and emergencies, will also be deployed.

The collaboration reinforces the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in the domain of public safety and law enforcement, the Ministry of Communications said in the statement.

SAMVAD Prime, a dedicated specialised handset-based secure messaging system will be deployed among senior officers and operational teams to ensure confidentiality and integrity during critical operations.

C-DOT Meet, a secure web-based video conferencing solution featuring multi-camera access, presentation sharing, and collaborative whiteboards, will facilitate briefings, inter-unit coordination, and training sessions.

The C-DOT Mission Critical Services (MCX) platform will enable secure, private, and low-latency communications specifically designed for public safety and emergency operations, ensuring real-time coordination among field officers during large-scale events, disaster response, and law-and-order situations.

The C-DOT Intelligent Attendance System, powered by facial recognition, will enhance administrative efficiency through accurate attendance recording, prevention of proxy marking, and strengthened access control at sensitive police installations.

The C-DOT Cell Broadcast Solution will enable geo-targeted dissemination of critical alerts across mobile devices and public display systems, supporting public advisories, traffic alerts, missing person notifications, and emergency warnings.

On the cybersecurity front, Trinetra ESOC, an AI-powered integrated security operations platform will monitor endpoints, identify vulnerabilities, and detect anomalies, safeguarding Delhi Police's IT infrastructure including the internal ecosystem and internet-facing systems.

Further, Trinetra 360 will deliver cyber intelligence, brand monitoring, attack surface monitoring, and AI-driven digital risk management.

Quantum-based Security Solutions, including the Compact Encryption Module (CEM), Quantum Secure Smart Video Phone (QSSVIP), and Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) will provide future-ready, quantum-resilient secure voice, video, and data communications for the Delhi Police, the statement noted.

—IANS

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New Delhi, March 28 (IANS) Union Minister Manohar Lal on Saturday outlined key priorities, including institutionalisation of single-window approvals, integration of PNG infrastructure into urban planning, facilitation of last-mile connectivity and convergence with ongoing urban development initiatives.

Addressing a review meeting here, he underscored the critical role of cities as engines of economic growth and called for mission-mode implementation to accelerate PNG expansion.

An ambitious target of providing 50 lakh new PNG connections was also highlighted, according to the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

The meeting brought together key stakeholders to deliberate on accelerating PNG network expansion across urban India and ensuring uninterrupted delivery of essential services.

A detailed presentation by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas outlined the current status of PNG rollout, emphasising its advantages over LPG in terms of safety, reliability, affordability and environmental sustainability.

Key challenges identified included delays in municipal permissions, Right of Way (RoW) approvals and high restoration charges, which continue to impede timely network expansion.

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri highlighted the evolving global energy landscape and stressed the importance of strengthening PNG infrastructure to enhance energy security and resilience. He encouraged States and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to actively promote PNG adoption, particularly in areas where infrastructure is already available.

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi emphasised the need to maintain uninterrupted essential supplies, curb misinformation, and prevent black marketing of fuel.

He advised states to strengthen monitoring and vigilance mechanisms and to encourage consumers to transition from LPG to PNG wherever feasible, with priority given to public institutions such as schools and colleges.

Deliberations during the roundtable highlighted several best practices, including fast-tracking of road-cutting permissions and adoption of deemed approval mechanisms to expedite project implementation.

State representatives shared their experiences and emphasised the importance of enhanced coordination among Urban Development Departments, Municipal bodies, and Food and Civil Supplies Departments for seamless implementation.

There was broad consensus on facilitating a phased and structured transition from LPG to PNG in areas with existing infrastructure, supported by adequate consumer awareness and safeguards to prevent disruption of essential services.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) The government on Friday unveiled the TV Ratings Policy 2026, aiming to make television audience measurement more transparent, independent and accountable, while also easing entry for new players in the sector.

The new policy replaces the earlier 2014 guidelines and seeks to ensure fair practices, accurate data measurement and stronger oversight in the broadcasting ecosystem.

Under the revised norms, the government has significantly reduced the entry barrier for companies looking to operate as TV rating agencies.

The net worth requirement has been brought down from Rs 20 crore to Rs 5 crore, a move aimed at encouraging more participation and competition in the sector.

To maintain neutrality and prevent any conflict of interest, the policy mandates that at least half of the Board of Directors of rating agencies must be independent, with no links to broadcasters, advertisers or advertising agencies.

It also bars such agencies from taking up consultancy assignments that could compromise their impartiality.

In a bid to improve the accuracy and representativeness of data, the policy requires agencies to expand their sample size to 80,000 metered homes within 18 months, while existing agencies have been given six months to meet this target.

The sample size will eventually be scaled up to 1,20,000 homes. The measurement system has been made technology-neutral, covering viewership across cable, DTH, OTT platforms and connected TVs, and capturing data from all screens within selected households.

The policy also places strong emphasis on transparency and data privacy. Rating agencies will now be required to publish their methodologies and anonymised data on their websites.

At the same time, they must comply with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023 to ensure the safety of viewers’ personal information.

To enhance accountability, a dual-audit mechanism has been introduced, involving quarterly internal audits and annual external audits.

In addition, the Ministry will set up an Audit and Oversight Team to conduct periodic field inspections.

--IANS

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Bhubaneswar, March 27 (IANS) After famous Bollywood producer Subhash Ghai shared a post featuring a sand statue of himself, which turned out to be AI-generated, renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik on Friday clarified that he did not create the sculpture and that it appears to be digitally fabricated.​

Notably, Ghai had earlier shared the image on his social media handles, expressing appreciation and thanking Pattnaik for what he believed was a remarkable tribute, unaware that the sculpture was actually AI-generated.​

“CAN’T BELIEVE IT My friend sent me this amazing sand picture made by our famous SAND ARTISTE Sudarshan Patnaik, a Padma Shree recipient and the best sand artist known in India from Puri, with such perfection and affection. Thank you, Sudhershan ji. Stay blessed always,” wrote the Bollywood producer.​

Responding quickly to the post, Pattnaik issued a clarification stating that the sand sculpture appears to be AI-generated.​

Taking to his social media, Pattnaik clarified, "Namaskar @SubhashGhai1 ji, I am truly honoured to receive your message and appreciation. Sir, I am a big fan of you. With due respect, I would like to share that the sand sculpture appears to be AI-generated, and there may have been a small misunderstanding or some incorrect information. Your kind words mean a great deal to me—they are truly a blessing. With respect and gratitude."​

This episode underscores growing concerns over the misuse of artificial intelligence to create convincing yet deceptive imagery. ​

In recent months, Indian authorities have observed a rise in AI-generated misleading content, as digital manipulation tools become increasingly sophisticated and accessible.​

For instance, the Kerala police recently registered a case against an AI-generated video that allegedly portrayed the Prime Minister and the Election Commission of India in a misleading, disrespectful manner.​

Numerous public figures have also spoken out against AI-generated images that falsely portray them. ​

As AI technology continues to advance, such cases highlight broader concerns about digital authenticity and misinformation.​

They underscore the urgent need for stronger safeguards and increased public awareness of the sources and credibility of AI-generated media.​

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 27 (IANS) AI is increasing cloud dependency, yet investment levels are not aligned as only 14 per cent of organisations reached the highest level of cloud maturity despite nearly two decades of cloud adoption, a report said on Friday.

The report from NTT DATA said that 99 per cent of organisations feel AI is increasing demand for cloud investment, yet 88 per cent felt current cloud investment levels are putting AI, cloud‑native and modernisation initiatives at risk.

The findings are based on a global survey of over 2,300 senior decision‑makers across 33 countries.

Fewer than half of organisations are satisfied with cloud’s impact or with their modernisation progress, signalling a disconnect between ambition and reality.

Cloud leaders, or organizations that feel “cloud evolved” — the most advanced in terms of cloud adoption and impact, with solid business performance – are significantly better positioned to capitalize on AI, the report said.

“AI is accelerating faster than enterprise cloud maturity. Cloud has moved well beyond infrastructure to the execution layer for AI. Organisations that fail to evolve their cloud foundations risk constraining the growth and value of their AI investments,” said Charlie Li, President, Global Head of Cloud and Security, NTT DATA, Inc.

To turn cloud into a strategic value engine, both cloud and AI strategies need to be developed in tandem, the report said, pointing out that AI demand is rising, yet alignment is uneven. CAIOs are 22 per cent more likely than CIOs and CTOs to say AI increases cloud investment needs.

A platform-led approach is no longer optional, it said, adding with investments stalling and environments getting more complex, over half respondents cited cloud cost management challenges.

Organisations expect a threefold increase in fully managed cloud platforms, it said, urging firms to reset their cloud transformation KPIs.

Around 47 per cent of cloud leaders used AI in their last cloud migration project, compared with 35 per cent of all others, it noted.

—IANS

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New Delhi, March 26 (IANS) Smartphone photography continues to evolve as users increasingly look for a balance between premium design, intelligent imaging, and practical everyday usability, especially in the mid-range segment where expectations are rising rapidly.

Building on the strong legacy of the realme Number Series and carrying forward the innovation introduced with the realme 16 Pro Series, realme has announced that the realme 16 5G will launch in India on April 2. The upcoming device aims to bring advanced imaging and design-led innovation to a wider audience.

In line with this shift, the realme 16 5G places a strong emphasis on portrait photography, positioning itself as a best camera phone for photography in its segment through a combination of hardware, AI-led enhancements & Phone with Premium look.

At the core of the device is a dual 50MP camera system, featuring a 50MP front camera and a Sony IMX 852-powered 50MP rear camera phone (f/1.8, autofocus). This setup ensures consistent, high-quality output across both front and rear cameras, whether for selfies, group shots, or everyday photography making this the best camera phone in the segment.

A key highlight of the realme 16 5G is its segment-first rear selfie mirror, enabling users to capture sharper, more detailed rear-camera selfies with ease. This is supported by “Say Hi” gesture-based capture and an integrated ring flash, ensuring hands-free shooting and balanced, studio-like lighting in different conditions.

On the imaging front, the device is powered by LumaColor IMAGE technology, designed to deliver natural skin tones, balanced highlights and shadows, and enhanced depth. By combining AI color algorithms, RAW HDR processing, and facial enhancement techniques, the system ensures realistic, true-to-life portraits.

Further enhancing the experience is Vibe Master Mode, offering presets such as Lively, Festival, and Ceremony, enabling users to easily customize the mood and visual style of their photos.

The device also integrates AI-driven editing tools for seamless content creation. AI Edit Genie allows users to modify hairstyles, outfits, and backgrounds through simple commands, while AI Instant Clip converts photos and videos into ready-to-share short-form content, making it ideal for a youth lifestyle smartphone audience.

Beyond imaging, the realme 16 5G is a lightweight design phone focused on design and endurance with an ultra-slim Air-inspired design paired with a massive 7000mAh battery. This combination positions it as a premium design smartphone that delivers long-lasting performance without compromising on form factor.

Together, these features position the realme 16 5G as a well-rounded imaging and design powerhouse, reflecting how premium-inspired features are becoming increasingly accessible in the mid-range smartphone segment.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 24 (IANS) Amid ongoing scrutiny over its agreement with the Uttar Pradesh government, Puch AI co-founder Siddharth Bhatia on Tuesday issued a detailed clarification, stating that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the state does not involve any public funds and is designed to attract investment rather than use taxpayer money.

In a post on social media platform X, Bhatia said the partnership is structured as a public-private initiative and will be executed in phases with support from external investors.

“The company has not received any funding, GPUs or other support from the government, and that citizens will instead benefit through free access to AI services in local languages via its platform,” he stated.

The clarification comes at a time when the Uttar Pradesh government has also emphasised that the MoU is non-binding and only a preliminary step.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had earlier said such agreements do not guarantee final project approval and are subject to detailed evaluation.

Responding to reports about the company’s financials, Bhatia said claims that Puch AI has a revenue of Rs 42.9 lakh are incorrect and stem from confusion with another firm.

He clarified that Puch AI’s financial details are not public but described the startup as “well-funded” and not bootstrapped.

On its technology, Bhatia said the company does not have its own foundational AI model and does not see it as necessary at this stage.

“Instead, it has built infrastructure using open-source models tailored for Indian users, focusing on accessibility through platforms like WhatsApp and voice-based interactions,” Bhatia stated.

“The company’s mission is to make AI accessible to millions of Indians who are currently unable to use tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini due to language and usability barriers,” he said.

Bhatia also addressed criticism that the platform is merely a “wrapper,” saying it does not rely on APIs from companies like OpenAI or Anthropic, and has built its infrastructure independently. However, he acknowledged that definitions of such terms can vary.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 23 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday said that India’s largest pregnancy cohort study of 12,000 women under the GARBH‑INi initiative aims to develop indigenous, AI‑driven solutions to prevent preterm births.

Singh at an event here, said the study supports creation of AI-based pregnancy dating models tailored for Indian populations, identification of microbiome-based predictors of preterm birth, rapid diagnostic tools, and genetic markers for early risk assessment.

Such models and solutions can improve maternal and child health outcomes in the country and tackle preterm births, one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality as well morbidity in adulthood, he added.

The programme has enrolled about 12,000 pregnant women, one of South Asia’s largest pregnancy cohorts and built a repository of over 1.6 million well‑characterised biospecimens and over one million ultrasound images to support research.

The minister noted that India carries a significant share of the global burden of preterm births, making it essential to develop solutions suited to Indian conditions.

The programme marks a comprehensive, data-driven approach integrating clinical epidemiology, multi-omics biomarkers, and artificial intelligence for personalised predictions, he said.

The initiative has also established a national biorepository and the GARBH-INi-DRISHTI data-sharing platform, enabling wider access for the research community and contributing to global scientific publications.

On the occasion, key partnerships and technology transfer initiatives were formalised, including transfer of microbiome-based biotherapeutics technology. Initiatives such as GARBH-INi are part of a larger national mission linking science with long-term nation-building, he noted.

India’s bioeconomy grew from nearly $10 billion in 2014 to about $195 billion, the minister said, adding the country is now being recognised globally for its strengths in preventive and primary healthcare, supported by indigenous innovations.

Dr. V.K. Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, said that the next phase of the programme should focus on effectively utilising the tools, predictive models and platforms developed so far.

—IANS

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Bengaluru, March 23 (IANS) Industry leaders and global experts on Monday expressed concern over the ongoing geopolitical tensions, saying they hope the conflict does not escalate further and is resolved soon, as its impact is already being felt on the economy and common people.

Speaking at the Indiaspora AI Summit here, Kris Gopalakrishnan, former CEO of Infosys, said the ongoing tensions are not just affecting the technology sector but are having a wider impact on everyday life.

“Shortages of LPG have already started affecting small businesses such as roadside food stalls and local restaurants, many of which are being forced to shift back to traditional cooking methods,” he noted.

He warned that if the situation continues, rising oil prices could push inflation higher, affecting the broader economy.

Gopalakrishnan also highlighted concerns around India’s large diaspora in the Middle East, saying any disruption there could impact remittances, which form a significant part of India’s inflows.

“Travel routes through the region are also facing disruptions, adding to the challenges,” he added.

At the same event, Sanjeev Joshipura, Executive Director of Indiaspora, said that geopolitics has become a major area of concern globally and is a key focus of discussions at the summit.

He added that the organisation aims to connect the global Indian diaspora with leaders in India to collaborate on long-term goals, including India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Joshipura said the summit is also focusing heavily on artificial intelligence and its real-world applications across sectors, along with how global Indian communities can contribute to positive change.

Meanwhile, Indo-American economist Gita Gopinath pointed out that the global economy is at a sensitive stage due to the ongoing conflict and other challenges.

She said uncertainty around oil prices remains high and could impact global growth. According to her, if oil prices remain elevated, it could slow down economic growth worldwide, including in India.

--IANS

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