Technology

New Delhi, May 30 (IANS) IT major TCS said that a brief technical issue caused a delay of around two hours in the Common University Entrance Test (CUET)-UG examination in the morning shift on Saturday.

K. Krithivasan, CEO and MD, TCS, said in a statement that the issue was promptly identified and resolved by “our technical teams and the examination has since resumed without any impact to the sanctity of the exam”.

“We regret the inconvenience. Our teams are actively monitoring all systems. We remain committed to working closely with NTA to ensure seamless conduct of the computer-based tests,” said Krithivasan.

Earlier, the National Testing Agency (NTA) announced revised timings for the Common University Entrance Test for admission to undergraduate courses (CUET-UG) in 2026, after a "technical glitch" delayed the examination at some centres on May 30.

In a post on X, the NTA blamed its service provider, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), for the glitch. "M/s TCS has reported that a technical glitch at their end delayed the commencement of CUET (UG) 2026 at some centres on 30.05.2026," it said.

However, the NTA stated that the issue has now been resolved. "The issue has since been resolved, and the exam is being conducted with full compensatory time so that no candidate is disadvantaged."

It added that the morning-session candidates are being given "the full duration of the paper and may exit only after completing it". The NTA said that it sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused to students and parents.

The CUET provides a common platform and equal opportunities to candidates across the country, especially those from rural and other remote areas, and help establish better connections with the universities.

The registration for CUET-UG 2026 began from the first week of April. In 2025, 13.54 lakh students had registered for CEUT-UG 2025.

--IANS

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New Delhi, May 29 (IANS) India has crossed a historic milestone by connecting 40 lakh homes to rooftop solar under the ‘PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana’, Union Petroleum and Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday.

Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this initiative is not only freeing the country's common citizens from electricity bills and making them ‘Atmanirbhar’ but also saving the environment. Puri posted on X.

“India becomes superpower of solar power -- A major achievement in the direction of clean energy,” said the minister.

Echoing similar sentiments, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said that your own roof is becoming a home of energy,

“Family is becoming empowered and life is becoming self-reliant. Under the PM Surya Ghar scheme, more than 40 lakh families have already connected with solar energy,” Goyal posted on X.

Under the leadership of PM Modi, “this new India is not only saving electricity, but also scripting a new revolution of change in the energy sector,” he noted.

Under the scheme, funds amounting to Rs 14,585.29 crore have been utilised in FY26 (till March 5), against Rs 7,822.92 crore in FY25.

Launched in 2024, the PM Muft Bijli Yojana is a demand-driven scheme wherein all residential consumers in the country having grid connected electricity connection of the local discom can avail the benefits of the scheme, for the installation of Rooftop Solar systems, by applying on the National Portal of the scheme.

The government estimates that installations of rooftop solar systems in one crore households could produce renewable electricity of 1,000 billion units, potentially reducing emissions by 720 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent over the 25‑year lifetime of the systems.

The top five states in implementation as of 2025-end include Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, and Rajasthan.

The government is also implementing the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), with an objective to make India a global hub of production, usage and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives, the minister added.

--IANS

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Geneva, May 28 (IANS) Global average temperatures are likely to continue at or near record levels in the next five years, with Arctic temperature anomalies expected to continue to be higher than the global mean, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) stated on Thursday.

The conclusion was drawn from the WMO report 'Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update 2026-2035', produced by Britain's Met Office and the WMO Lead Centre for Annual to Decadal Climate Prediction, which synthesised predictions contributed by 13 institutes.

The update report also takes a look at the observed climate over the past five years and gives regional predictions for temperatures and precipitation over the next five years, Xinhua news agency reported.

According to the report, annual global mean near-surface temperatures during the period from 2026 to 2030 will range between 1.3 and 1.9 degrees Celsius above the 1850-1900 average. It is likely that one year coming between 2026 and 2030 will surpass 2024 as the warmest year on record.

It predicted that the average global temperature for 2026-2030 will likely exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius above the 1850-1900 average, while no single year during the period is likely to exceed 2.0 degrees Celsius.

The predicted average temperature in the central tropical Pacific indicates a tendency towards El Nino conditions in the next five years, particularly in 2027 and 2028.

Leon Hermanson, lead author of the report, said: "There is an El Nino predicted for the end of 2026, which increases the chances of the following year, 2027, being the next record-breaking year."

The levels of 1.5 and 2.0 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial baseline specified in the Paris Agreement on climate change refer to long-term warming sustained over an extended period, typically assessed over 20 years. Individual years with annual global mean temperatures exceeding these levels do not mean that the long-term temperature goals of the Paris Agreement are out of reach. Temporary exceedances are expected to occur with increasing frequency as the underlying rise in global temperature approaches these levels.

Another key finding of the report is that Arctic temperatures over the next five extended northern hemisphere winters running from November to March are predicted to be 2.8 degrees Celsius above average temperatures for 1991-2020, an anomaly more than three and a half times that of the global mean temperature anomaly over the same period.

–IANS

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New Delhi, May 28 (IANS) India and South Korea have decided to create dedicated sub-groups to deepen discussions on digital trade, supply chain cooperation and strategic industrial collaboration as part of efforts to upgrade the India-Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IK CEPA), it was announced on Thursday.

The talks were conducted pursuant to the Joint Declaration signed on April 20 by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo during the State Visit of the President of the Republic of Korea to India, according to an official statement issued after the latest round of negotiations in the national capital.

According to the statement, both sides reviewed the progress made so far in the CEPA upgrade negotiations and held discussions in a “constructive and cooperative spirit”, reflecting the “Futuristic Partnership” envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung.

“Both sides reviewed the progress achieved so far in the IK CEPA upgrade negotiations,” the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said.

“The discussions were held in a constructive and cooperative spirit, reflecting the strong bilateral relationship and the ‘Futuristic Partnership’ envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae-myung,” it added.

During the latest round, negotiators discussed multiple areas including trade in goods, trade in services, rules of origin and origin procedures, investment, and sanitary and phytosanitary standards.

India and South Korea also acknowledged the widening bilateral trade deficit since the original IK CEPA came into force in 2010 and agreed to address the issue within the broader CEPA framework.

The two countries reaffirmed their commitment to conclude the CEPA upgrade negotiations in a time-bound manner with the aim of achieving a modernised and mutually beneficial agreement that promotes balanced bilateral trade and stronger economic cooperation.

--IANS

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Gandhinagar, May 27 (IANS) The Indian Institute of Teacher Education (IITE) in Gandhinagar on Wednesday announced a major academic expansion under the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 by establishing seven new university schools and introducing a multidisciplinary academic structure that will allow students to study subjects beyond their traditional streams, including artificial intelligence and philosophy.

The institution, established in 2010, said the restructuring marked a significant step in its transition towards becoming a “University of National Importance” and adopting a multidisciplinary academic model in line with the NEP framework.

Announcing the development, IITE director Dr. Mehul Dave said the university would become the first institution in India dedicated to preparing educators in artificial intelligence. “IITE will become India’s first university to prepare AI educators,” Dr. Dave said.

He said the state government had sanctioned a grant of Rs 127 crore for new buildings and hostel facilities as part of the university’s expansion plans.

According to the university, the revised academic structure has been designed to provide holistic education, strengthen skill-based learning, and encourage advanced interdisciplinary research.

Dr. Dave said the expansion also broadens the scope of teacher education beyond conventional classroom teaching.

The new framework includes not only government teachers but also mentors and professionals from fields such as computer education, gym and fitness training, theatre and coaching, as well as disciplines such as science, languages, social sciences, and physical education.

The university said the changes were introduced with ongoing transformations in global education systems and the increasing importance of interdisciplinary learning in mind.

The seven newly established schools are the School of Education in Sciences and Mathematics, the School of Education in Humanities and Social Sciences, the School of Physical Education & Sports and Yoga, the School of Education in Performing Arts and Fine Arts, School of Education in Commerce, Management and Educational Leadership, School of Education in Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Areas, and School of Special Education.

Under the new academic model, subjects such as artificial intelligence, sports, arts, and management will be integrated with mainstream education programmes.

University officials said the structure would enable students to undertake interdisciplinary research using newer and more flexible academic approaches.

As part of the revised policy, students from science streams will also be allowed to choose optional subjects such as philosophy or artificial intelligence, according to their interests.

The university said the expansion would open new opportunities for PhD and advanced research in science and technology, the humanities, educational leadership, and the arts and sports.

It added that the restructuring was aimed at preparing educators and academic leaders with multidisciplinary knowledge and skills suited to evolving educational requirements.

--IANS

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Mumbai, May 26 (IANS) A marathon board meeting of Tata Sons held at Bombay House in Mumbai on Tuesday focused extensively on the financial performance, future projections and strategic direction of several loss-making group businesses amid growing engagement between Tata Sons and Tata Trusts.

The nearly six-and-a-half-hour meeting, which lasted from 10 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. with a lunch break in between, was described by sources as an “involved interaction” where several group CEOs made detailed presentations on their businesses before the board.

According to reports, the meeting did not take up discussions on the possible listing of Tata Sons or the continuation of N Chandrasekaran for a third term as executive chairman. Both issues are expected to be discussed at the next board meeting scheduled for June 12.

The special review session was reportedly convened following concerns raised earlier by Noel Tata, who is also a nominee director on the Tata Sons board.

During the February 24 board meeting, Noel Tata is understood to have questioned the profitability and long-term viability of businesses such as Air India, Tata Digital and Tata Electronics.

The concerns were reportedly linked to discussions around Chandrasekaran’s proposed third five-year term beginning February 2027. Tata Trusts had already passed a resolution in July 2025 supporting his continuation.

Several senior executives, including Air India CEO Campbell Wilson, Tata Electronics CEO Randhir Thakur and Tata Digital CEO Sajith Sivanandan, were present at Tuesday’s meeting and answered questions related to business performance, profitability and future strategy.

Reports said Noel Tata appeared satisfied with the explanations and presentations made during the session, although he is believed to have sought additional clarifications on certain aspects of the group’s new-age and capital-intensive businesses.

Further review meetings involving Tata group companies may also be held in the coming months.

However, neither Tata Sons nor Tata Trusts officially commented on the board meeting.

--IANS

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New Delhi, May 25 (IANS) Piyush Goyal, Secretary, Ministry of Mines on Monday urged closer coordination between the Centre and state governments to expedite statutory clearances, facilitate early commencement of mining operations, and ensure timely production from auctioned blocks.

Goyal chaired a monthly review meeting with senior ministry officials and Category-A mineral bearing States to review the progress of mineral block auctions and operationalisation across the country, an official statement said.

The meeting focused on accelerating reforms in the mining sector, enhancing domestic mineral production, and ensuring timely operationalisation of auctioned mineral blocks.

In FY 2025-26, a record 212 mineral blocks were auctioned — the highest in any financial year since auctions began.

Auction of 22 critical and strategic mineral blocks were among them, reflecting the government’s continued focus on securing critical mineral resources essential for India’s economic growth and clean energy transition.

Since the auction regime began in 2015, 108 mineral blocks were auctioned through FY 2020-21, the statement from the Ministry of Mines said.

The pace of auctions accelerated significantly, with 364 mineral blocks successfully auctioned between FY22 to FY25, averaging about 90 blocks per year.

The meeting also reviewed the operationalisation status of auctioned blocks and found that in FY26, a total of 36 mineral blocks, including 28 greenfield blocks and 8 brownfield blocks, have been operationalised.

As many as 58 blocks comprising 20 greenfield and 38 brownfield blocks operationalised during the entire period from FY16 to FY25.

Secretary also underscored the importance of critical mineral development in achieving the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and strengthening India’s mineral security.

Recent surveys have identified substantial reserves of Rare Earth Elements (REEs), Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREEs) and critical rare metals across multiple blocks in Rajasthan’s Siwana Ring Complex.

The Union Ministry of Mines has already assigned technical evaluation work for three blocks to specialised agencies, signalling that exploration has moved beyond preliminary assessments.

—IANS

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New Delhi, May 25 (IANS) India’s push towards ethanol blending and renewable energy is helping reduce the country’s dependence on imported crude oil, Krishnakumar Gopalan, former Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited said on Monday.

Speaking to IANS, he said the government had realised early the need for an energy transition and has been working closely with oil companies to reduce vulnerabilities arising from high crude imports.

Speaking about India’s fuel strategy, Gopalan said around 85 per cent of the country’s crude oil requirement is imported, making the economy highly exposed to global developments and price fluctuations.

“To address this challenge, India has introduced 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol, which is gradually being accelerated further to cut dependence on crude imports,” Gopalan said.

“That is one step where we are trying to reduce our dependency. The second step is we have made our efforts in increasing renewable assets, be it solar, wind, hydrogen. We are even looking at hydrogen retail outlets,” he told IANS.

Gopalan also highlighted the role played by oil marketing companies in managing fuel supplies efficiently despite global uncertainty.

“They have been managing supplies very well. There are hardly any cases of dry outs except where there are localised crises and the oil companies, I think, have done a very commendable job in managing the supplies,” he added.

On fuel prices, the former BPCL chief said oil companies have absorbed a major part of the cost burden despite rising global crude prices.

According to him, the current under-recovery on petrol is around Rs 13 to Rs 14 per litre, while diesel under-recovery is close to Rs 38 per litre.

"The loss in petrol is about 13 to 14 rupees and diesel is about 38 rupees, so whatever increase has happened is only partial,” he stated.

“The good fact is crude has started coming down, there are positive indications about negotiations working and if that does happen, that will be a great relief, there won't be much increases required that will offset and the crude economy also will benefit," he told IANS.

--IANS

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New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) India’s capital goods industry is projected to see a revenue growth of 12-14 per cent this fiscal, buoyed by sustained government spending, steady capacity expansion in power, mining, oil and gas, metal and auto-linked sectors, and increasing opportunities from emerging segments such as data centres and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, a report showed on Friday.

The ongoing developments in West Asia are unlikely to materially impact growth as diversified order books and limited regional exposure to the middle east provide a cushion with revenue largely accruing from the domestic market, said the Crisil report.

“The operating margin is expected to remain range-bound at 12-13 per cent this fiscal, supported by strong execution, long-term client relationships and improved operating leverage despite geopolitical cost pressure,” it added.

The order books of large companies have risen 1.5 times over the past two fiscals to Rs 5.2 lakh crore (as of December 2025) with the book-to-bill ratio improving to 3.7 times in fiscal 2026 from 3.1 times in fiscal 2024.

The growth is driven by increased power sector capex, raising its share to 50 per cent from 32 per cent, alongside steady growth in defence and railways outlays.

“We expect capital goods companies to report revenue growth of 12-14 per cent this fiscal, driven by strong double-digit growth in capex spends across the power sector, particularly the renewable energy value chain. Growth is further supported by increased government spending in key sectors such as railways and defence, where capex allocations this fiscal have risen 11 per cent and 5 per cent, respectively,” said Aditya Jhaver, Director, Crisil Ratings.

According to the report, power capacity additions of 58–62 gigawatt (GW) this fiscal, led by renewables, should boost demand for heavy engineering and equipment. Transmission capex is expected to stay strong, driven by renewable integration, rising demand and grid modernisation.

“Railway capex is set to recover, supported by expansion and modernisation, while defence spending continues to rise with a focus on indigenisation. Private capex in core sectors such as steel, cement and oil and gas remains steady, driven by steady domestic demand even as emerging areas such as data centres and EV infrastructure gain traction,” the report noted.

--IANS

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New Delhi, May 20 (IANS) At a time when many companies are doubling down on workplace culture and employee wellbeing, fintech startup Bolt is taking a sharply different path.

Bolt CEO Ryan Breslow has defended his controversial decision to eliminate the company’s entire human resources department, arguing that HR teams often create unnecessary complications instead of solving problems.

Speaking at Fortune’s Workforce Innovation Summit, the 31-year-old founder said the move was part of a broader effort to restore speed and efficiency at the once high-flying fintech company.

“We had an HR team, and that HR team was creating problems that didn’t exist,” Breslow said during a conversation with Fortune editorial director Kristin Stoller. “Those problems disappeared when I let them go.”

Founded in 2014, Bolt became one of the fastest-growing fintech startups during the pandemic-era tech boom, reaching a valuation of $11 billion in 2022. However, the company’s fortunes later reversed dramatically. After Breslow stepped down as CEO that same year, Bolt’s valuation reportedly fell to nearly $300 million by 2024 -- a decline of almost 97 per cent.

Breslow returned to lead the company in 2025 and described the current phase at Bolt as “wartime,” requiring a more aggressive operational approach. Earlier this year, the company laid off nearly 30 per cent of its workforce and dismantled its HR division altogether.

According to Breslow, traditional HR structures are better suited for large, stable companies rather than startups trying to move quickly in a competitive environment.

“We’re back in startup mode again, and those HR professionals have really important insights when you’re in a peacetime and when you’re at a larger company,” he said.

Instead of a conventional HR department, Bolt has introduced a leaner “people operations” team focused on employee training and support functions.

Breslow has repeatedly voiced skepticism about traditional HR practices. In a LinkedIn post earlier this year, he wrote that “HR is the wrong energy, format, and approach,” adding that people operations teams help companies “move at lightning speed” by empowering managers and streamlining decision-making.

At the Fortune summit, Breslow further criticized what he described as a culture of inefficiency inside HR teams.

“We need a group of people who are very oriented around getting things done,” he said. “There is just a culture of not getting things done and complaining a lot.”

--IANS

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