Oxford Economics Report: Stricter Digital Rules Could Cause ₹91,500 Cr VC Loss, 2.45 Lakh Startup Jobs Lost by 2035

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.

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.

₹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.

Rs 1 Lakh Crore RDI Fund: Collateral-Free Loans at 2-4% Interest for Deep-Tech Firms via TDB, BIRAC

The government's Rs 1 lakh crore RDI Fund for deep-tech innovation has come under scrutiny as 15 of 22 funded companies have investment ties to selection committee members. The fund provides collateral-free loans at 2-4% interest over 15 years, administered through ANRF with TDB and BIRAC as fund managers.

Draft SHANTI Rules: Foreign Nuclear Tech Needs Origin-Country Approval, Operational Track Record

The DAE released draft rules under the SHANTI Act, 2025, mandating that foreign nuclear technology must have design approval from its country of origin and be operational elsewhere. The rules also introduce 'in-principle approval' for projects without a finalised site or reactor, and a single composite licence for building, owning, operating, and decommissioning nuclear plants, paving the way for private participation.