Airtel Defends 5G Network Slicing for 'Priority Postpaid' Before DoT Panel; Cites 38% 5G Capacity Utilisation

RDI Fund: Govt Defends Conflict Safeguards; 62% of ₹2,192 Cr Loans Went to Panel-Linked Firms

The RDI Fund, created to support deep tech companies, faces controversy as 62% of first-round soft loans (₹2,192 crore) went to firms linked to selection panel members. The government defends safeguards including super-majority voting and 10% stake disqualification, noting the second cohort has only 1 of 13 such companies. Congress seeks a parliamentary review on August 13.

₹2,192 Cr RDI Fund for Deep-Tech: Conflict of Interest in Selection Panel Raises Questions

The government's ₹2,192 crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) fund for deep-tech faces conflict of interest allegations: 15 of 22 selected firms have investment ties to panel members. The article argues that disclosure and recusal are insufficient and demands structural safeguards like wider selector pool, academic evaluators, and published conflict records.

Parliamentary Panel Demands Meta Apology Over PM Video Removal, Threatens Revocation of Safe Harbour Under IT Act Section 79

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Communications and IT, chaired by Nishikant Dubey, has demanded Meta apologize for erroneously blocking PM Modi's video, or face revocation of safe harbour under Section 79 of the IT Act. Similar action is threatened against Google India for financial frauds. This highlights the government's push to enforce intermediary accountability and the conditional nature of safe harbour immunity.

Ministry of Mines Notifies 2 Offshore Mineral Blocks Near Great Nicobar for Polymetallic Nodules

India has notified two offshore mineral blocks near Great Nicobar Island for polymetallic nodule and crust exploration, strengthening its critical minerals push under the blue economy framework. This connects directly to the Deep Ocean Mission, Samudra Manthan scheme, UNCLOS, and India's strategic need for deep-sea mineral security. For exams, remember the Act, the minerals, the contracts, and the institutional framework.

Parliamentary Panel Urges Geostationary Satellite for 24x7 Himalayan Forest Fire Monitoring

A parliamentary standing committee has flagged critical gaps in forest fire monitoring in the Himalayas, where 17% of India's landmass accounts for 57% of fire incidents. It recommends launching an Indian geostationary satellite for round-the-clock monitoring, setting up NDRF regional response centres, and formulating a national pine-needle policy. This is crucial for prelims (data, institutions) and mains (environmental governance, disaster management).

₹2,000 Cr Deep-Tech Fund: 62% First Cohort Conflict-of-Interest Charge, Guardrails Explained

An op-ed by the Chief Economic Advisor defends the ₹2,000 crore deep-tech fund's first cohort against conflict-of-interest allegations, revealing that 62% of allocations went to firms linked to panel members. For aspirants, this highlights governance in public funds, the balance between expertise and probity, and the need to evaluate outcomes over process.

₹743.43 Cr Revenue Detected in 6 Months: Andhra AI-GST Model Wins National Acclaim at 6th Coordination Meet

Andhra Pradesh’s AI & Machine Learning-based GST administration model has been nationally acclaimed at the 6th National Co-ordination Meeting. The system detected ₹743.43 crore in revenue in just six months—more than double the previous manual process—and has sparked interest from several states. For exam aspirants, this is a key case study on AI in governance, tax administration reform, and state-level innovation.

HPCL-led Consortium Sets Up MC2 Plus Incubator and AIF to Cut ₹1 Lakh Crore Refining Energy Bill

A consortium of PSU oil companies led by HPCL has formed MC2 Plus, a Section 8 company, as an incubator for deep-tech energy startups. The initiative targets the ₹1 lakh crore annual energy cost in India's refining sector, shifting PSU engagement from procurement to active innovation and investment. A proposed Alternative Investment Fund ('India Energy Fund') will back the startups.