The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has announced the 5G Innovation Hackathon 2025, a six-month initiative aimed at accelerating the development of innovative 5G-powered solutions to address societal and industrial challenges. Open to students, startups, and professionals, the programme provides mentorship, funding, and access to over 100 5G Use Case Labs,
enabling participants to transform visionary ideas into scalable technologies.
The hackathon invites proposals focused on key 5G applications such as AI-driven network maintenance, IoT-enabled solutions, 5G broadcasting, smart health, agriculture, industrial automation, non-terrestrial networks (NTN), D2M, V2X, and quantum communication.
Participants are encouraged to leverage 5G features like network slicing, Quality of Service (QoS), and call-flow scenarios to address real-world problems. The hackathon offers an array of support mechanisms to help participants take their innovations to the next level. Participants will get assistance in IPR filing for commercialising their IP assets.
Winners will receive significant rewards, including Rs. 5,00,000 for the 1st place, Rs. 3,00,000 for the runner-up, and Rs. 1,50,000 for the 2nd runner-up. Also, special mentions will be given for Best Idea and Most Innovative Prototype, each receiving Rs. 50,000.
10 labs will also be given Certificates of Appreciation for Best 5G Use case and one Certificate for Best idea from Emerging Institute.
The programme, supported by a Rs. 1.5 crore budget, covers seed funding, IPR assistance, mentorship, and operational costs.
Secretary Department of Science and Technology (DST) Professor Abhay Karandikar who was acting as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) handed over the charge to Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman who has been appointed CEO.
Dr. Shivkumar who earlier held the post of Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Energy Industry, Asia at Microsoft is a Distinguished Alumnus Awardee of IIT Madras & Ohio State University (2021). He is also a Fellow of the IEEE (2010), Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering (2015), ACM Distinguished Scientist (2010),
Microsoft Gold Club (2024) and Technology Review TR100 young innovator (1999).
ANRF will act as an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in the country as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP).
In a significant move to enhance credit accessibility for middle and low-income borrowers, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, Piramal Capital & Housing Finance Limited (Piramal Finance) has entered into a strategic co-lending partnership with Punjab & Sind Bank.
This collaboration aims to strengthen financial inclusion by offering customised credit solutions at competitive rates, especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
The partnership leverages Punjab & Sind Bank’s extensive network of 1,575 branches alongside Piramal Finance’s expansive reach across 514+ branches spanning 13,000 pin codes and,
serving 4.5 million customers across 26 states. By combining Punjab & Sind Bank’s deep financial expertise with Piramal Finance’s ‘High Tech + High Touch’ approach, the initiative seeks to address the credit needs of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as home loan seekers.
Jairam Sridharan- Managing Director, Piramal Finance.
SATYA MicroCapital Ltd, a NBFC-MFI committed to promoting entrepreneurship and financial independence, has unveiled an ambitious goal of reaching 10 million households by 2030. This milestone aligns with the company’s core mission of promoting financial inclusion, with a particular focus on supporting women-led enterprises.
As part of its expansion strategy, SATYA MicroCapital plans to strengthen its geographical footprint by launching new branches across India. This initiative aims to extend access to affordable financial resources, empowering underprivileged families with seamless opportunities for economic growth.
By providing tailored financial solutions such as microloans, SATYA seeks to drive entrepreneurship, elevate household incomes, and contribute to sustainable development.
Emphasising its holistic approach to microfinance, SATYA integrates human touch, transparency, and sustainability in its operations.
Mr. Vivek Tiwari- MD & CEO of SATYA MicroCapital.
Hockey Jharkhand edged past defending champions Hockey Haryana 4-3 in a shootout after 1-1 in regulation time to win the 15th Hockey India Senior Women National Championship.
Pramodni Lakra (44') and Rani (42') scored in regulation time.
Rajni Kerketta, Nirali Kujur, Binima Dhan, and captain Alebla Rani Toppo netted in the shootout,
while keeper Anjali Bhinjia's two crucial saves sealed the win.
In the bronze medal match, Hockey Mizoram beat Hockey Maharashtra 2-1, with Manju Chorsiya (59') scoring the late winner.
India's leading private sector bank, HDFC Bank will now accept deposits under the Senior Citizens’ Savings Scheme (SCSS), a savings instrument run by the Government of India for the elderly.
Padma Bhushan Ramakanta Rath, one of the most renowned modernist poets in Odia literature, passed away at Bhubaneswar at the age of 91. His passing has cast a deep shadow of mourning over the literary world, marking the end of an era in Odia literature.
A 1957-batch IAS officer, Ramakanta Rath also served as the Chief Secretary of Odisha and held several key positions in the Union Government. His poetic works, celebrated for their depth and insight, include iconic poems ‘Sri Radha’ among many others. His works have been translated into English and several Indian languages.
In recognition of his outstanding contribution to literature, Ramakanta Rath was conferred with the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, in 2006 and many other coveted literary awards. He also served as president of the Sahitya Akademi of India from 1998 to 2003. The last rites of Ramakanta Rath will be carried out tomorrow at SwargaDwar of Puri.
The Competition Commission of India has approved acquisition of Uprising Science Private Limited by Hindustan Unilever Limited.
The proposed transaction involves the acquisition by Hindustan Unilever Limited (Acquirer/HUL), of 90.5% shareholding of Uprising Science Private Limited (Target),
with eventual acquisition of the remaining 9.5% shareholding of the Target in about two years from the completion date as per the terms set out in the Share Purchase & Subscription Agreement executed by and between HUL and the Target.
The Acquirer is involved in the business of manufacture and sale of: (a) home care products; (b) beauty & personal care products;
(c) food products and refreshments. The Acquirer has over 50+ brands spanning distinct categories and includes Lux, Surf Excel, Fair & Lovely, Lakme, Knorr, Kwality Wall’s, Brooke Bond, BRU among others.
The Target is engaged in the manufacture and sale of beauty and personal care products such as skin care & body care products, baby care products and hair care products.
The Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, in the presence of MoS Corporate Affairs, and MoS Road and Transport Shri Harsh Malhotra launched a dedicated mobile app for the Prime Minister's Internship Scheme on 17th March 2025.
The App has the following features:
Intuitive interface with a clean design and effortless navigation.
Easy registration through Aadhaar face authentication
Effortless navigation - Eligible candidates can sift through opportunities by location etc.
Personalized dashboard
Access to a dedicated support team
Real time alerts to keep candidates abreast of new updates.
Meghalaya initiated the scientific mining of coal after almost a decade of ban on rat-hole coal mining imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma virtually inaugurated the first scientific coal mining block at Saryngkham-A block in the Byndihati area of East Jaintia Hills district.
The NGT enforced the ban on rat-hole coal mining in 2014 after a series of coal mine tragedies in Meghalaya over the years. Later, the Supreme Court had upheld the ban order. There are allegations galore that despite the ban, the illegal mining and transportation of coal have continued in the state.
German insurer Allianz SE has announced the sale of its 26% stake in two joint ventures with India's Bajaj Finserv for approximately €2.6 billion ($2.84 billion). The agreement will see Bajaj Group gain complete ownership of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company (BAGIC) and Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance Company (BALIC), marking the end of a 24-year-old partnership.
The deal was confirmed through Share Purchase Agreements (SPAs) signed between the two companies, ensuring a smooth transition of ownership. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals from the Competition Commission of India and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI).
Once the transaction is completed, Bajaj Group will increase its ownership in BAGIC and BALIC from 74% to 100%. The deal will be executed in tranches, with at least 6.1% being acquired in the first phase, which will also see Allianz reclassified from "Promoter" to "Investor."
The agreed purchase price for Allianz’s stake is Rs. 13,780 crore for BAGIC and Rs. 10,400 crore for BALIC. The transaction also includes the acquisition of Allianz’s stake in Bajaj Allianz Financial Distributors Ltd. (BAFDL), a 50:50 joint venture, for a consideration of up to Rs. 12.5 crore. Post-acquisition, Bajaj Finserv will hold full ownership of BAFDL.
Islamophobia is a fear, prejudice and hatred of Muslims that leads to provocation, hostility and intolerance by means of threatening, harassment, abuse, incitement and intimidation of Muslims and non-Muslims, both in the online and offline world. Motivated by institutional, ideological, political and religious hostility that transcends into structural and cultural racism.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution sponsored by 60 Member-States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which designated 15 March as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. The document stresses that terrorism and violent extremism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization, or ethnic group.
