Ministry of Electronics & IT noted in a latest update that India has made significant progress in mobile and electronics manufacturing and become the worlds 2nd largest mobile manufacturing country. In 2014, India had only 2 mobile manufacturing units but fast forward to today, the nation boasts over 300 manufacturing units, underscoring a significant expansion in this vital sector. In 2014 -15 only 26% of the mobile phones which were being sold in India were made in India, the rest were being imported. It is worth mentioning that today, 99.2% of all mobile phones which are sold in India are made in India. The manufacturing value of mobile phones has surged from Rs 18,900 crore in FY14 to a staggering Rs 4,22,000 crore in FY24.

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has given it’s approval for global steel giant POSCO Group’s intra-group restructuring by acquiring the entire shareholding of LX International Corporation in POSCO-India Pune Processing Centre Private Ltd (IPPC).

The acquisition will be executed by POSCO-India Processing Centre Private Ltd (PIPC), a subsidiary of POSCO Holdings Inc.

“CCI approves the proposed acquisition of certain shareholding in POSCO - India Pune Processing Centre Private Ltd by POSCO India Processing Centre Private Ltd,” said a social media post in platform “X”.

Sri Madhav Kaushik, President, Sahitya Akademi, has approved Sahitya Akademi Award 2024 in Dogri for Ik Hor Ashwthama (Short Stories) by Late Chaman Arora. The book was selected on the basis of recommendation made by the Jury comprising three members in accordance with the rules and procedures laid down for the purpose. The book was selected unanimously.

The Award in the form of a casket containing an engraved copper-plaque and a payment of Rs.1,00,000/- will be presented to the family member/nominee of the awardee at a special function will be held on 8 March 2025 at New Delhi.

Gopal Vittal, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Bharti Airtel, and Deputy Chair of the Global System of Mobile Communication or GSMA, an industry body representing the interests of mobile network operators worldwide, has been appointed as the Acting Chair of the Board. The elevation was following the resignation of José María Álvarez-Pallete, Chairman & CEO of Telefónica, from the post.

Gopal Vittal, who was recently re-elected as Deputy Chair of the GSMA Board, has previously served as a key member during the 2019-2020 term.

“Following the announcement that José Maria Álvares-Pallete resigned from his position as Chairman & CEO of Telefónica, he is no longer able to continue in the position of Chair of the GSMA Board of Directors. The GSMA is grateful for his contribution to the organisation and to the industry overall. Gopal Vittal, CEO of Bharti Airtel Group and GSMA’s Deputy Chair, will be Acting Chair of the GSMA Board until the Board elects a new chair after MWC Barcelona,” said GSMA in a press note.

Reserve Bank of India has informed that the total value of 2000 rupee banknotes in circulation dropped to 6,577 crore rupees as of 31st of last month. In a statement, RBI has clarified that 98.15 per cent of the 3.56 lakh crore worth of currency notes in circulation in May 2023 have been returned to the system.

The RBI announced the withdrawal of 2000 rupee notes on 19th May 2023, urging citizens to deposit or exchange them at banks by 7th October 2023. While the 2000 rupee note remains legal tender, RBI has reminded the public that they can still deposit or exchange the notes at any of the 19 RBI Issue Offices through India Post.

The World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit—WAVES 2025 will unveil AI-powered solutions for combating misinformation in live broadcasting. The Electronics and IT Ministry said that the upcoming TruthTell Hackathon challenge, part of the inaugural WAVES, is a pioneering initiative that will bring much-needed solutions in live broadcasting.

The hackathon carries a prize pool of 10 lakh rupees, with developers, data scientists, and media professionals called upon to create AI-driven tools for real-time misinformation detection and fact verification. The winning teams will receive cash prizes, mentorship opportunities, and incubation support from leading tech professionals. The ministry mentioned that to date, the hackathon has received overwhelming interest, with over 5,600 registrations globally, including 36 per cent participation from women.

The TruthTell Hackathon challenge was earlier announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and is being organised, in collaboration with the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA).

The government today said the Ayush visas are being issued for a year with a maximum of three entries for persons of foreign origin.

Minister of State for AYUSH, Prataprao Jadhav, informed this in the Rajya Sabha in a written reply. He further said the visa can be extended on a yearly basis up to a maximum period of five years from the date of issuance of the Ayush Visa by the concerned Foreign Regional Registration Office. He added that this will be on producing a medical certificate or advice from a recognised hospital in the country.

The minister further said a foreigner will be granted an Ayush visa on producing evidence of bearing the expenses of their own for the required treatment.

Over 16 lakh 14 thousand electric vehicles have been supported by the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles, FAME II scheme, till the end of last year. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Heavy Industries Bhupathiraju Srinivasa Varma informed that the FAME-II scheme has been implemented across the country, covering urban and rural areas to promote electric mobility and reduce pollution.

In another written reply, the minister said 10 thousand 900 crore rupees have been allocated under PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM e-DRIVE), and the scheme will be implemented for two years till March 2026. Under the scheme, electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, e-trucks, emerging electric vehicles, e-buses, e-ambulances, and EV public charging stations will get support.

Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, best known for her role in the hit 2001 series Meteor Garden, has died from pneumonia at the age of 48, Deadline reported.

Her sister, Dee Hsu, confirmed the news in a statement, revealing that Barbie fell ill during a family trip to Japan before succumbing to pneumonia. The sisters began their careers as a pop duo before transitioning to television hosting and acting.

Hsu, who had a history of epilepsy and heart disease, had been hospitalized in the past due to seizures, according to the outlet. She starred in popular TV dramas such as Summer’s Desire and Corner With Love and appeared in films like Reign of Assassins and Motorway.

In a thrilling display of precision shooting, Punjab's Sift Kaur Samra won the gold in the Women's 50m 3 Position event at the 38th National Games, held at Maharana Pratap Sports College Trishul Hall in Uttarakhand.

Samra's commanding performance saw her score an impressive 461.2 points, securing the top spot in a competitive final. Her fellow state-mate Anjum Moudgil, also from Punjab, claimed the silver medal with 458.7 points, while Telangana's Surabhi Bhardwaj Rapole took bronze with a score of 448.8.

The event featured some of the nation's top shooters, and it was an intense battle from start to finish. Kerala's Vidarsha Vinod led after the Kneel Position but could not maintain her momentum in the final stages, allowing Samra to surge ahead.