&w=3840&q=100)
India leads capacity building initiative on digital transformation in Brics
India on Friday hosted a Virtual Capacity Building Session on Digital Transformation in BRICS, organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) through the National Communications Academy, Technology (NCA-T) in Ghaziabad, according to an official release from the Ministry of Communication.
Convened under the BRICS ICT Working Group, the event brought together digital thought leaders from across the BRICS nations to explore shared challenges, best practices, and chart a path forward for robust ICT cooperation among the group countries.
The session was inaugurated by Daniel Cavalcanti, BRICS Chair, and Atul Sinha, Director General of NCA-T, India.
Cavalcanti commended India for hosting the session and highlighted the event's role in advancing cooperation, focusing on mobile security, cyber resilience, digital infrastructure, and digital twin.
Atul Sinha emphasized on capacity building through collaboration, co-creating scalable, secure technologies, and fostering partnerships to empower citizens across BRICS nations. There were four thematic sessions addressing pressing challenges and opportunities in the digital domain.
During the event, in session 1, India showcased its flagship Sanchar Saathi initiative aimed at protecting mobile users from fraud, enhancing transparency, and ensuring equitable access to mobile services. The session underscored the importance of citizen-centric regulatory frameworks that foster trust and inclusivity in digital communications.
In the session 2, India and Brazil led presentations on their national approaches to cyber resilience. The discussion emphasised preparedness, rapid response, and cross-border cooperation to counter cyber threats.
Session 3 focused on building secure, inclusive, and interoperable platforms. India presented AADHAAR as a foundational DPI that has revolutionised public service delivery through identity-based digital inclusion. China also shared insights on its digital infrastructure journey. The session highlighted DPI as a transformative tool for governance efficiency and service outreach.
In the session 4, India introduced its ambitious Sangam Digital Twin initiative, aimed at using AI-native, federated platforms to enable scenario-based infrastructure planning and real-time governance solutions. China also shared its experiences with Digital Twin technology. The discussion showcased the use of predictive simulations and data-driven governance as game-changers for public infrastructure management.
In the closing remarks, Avinash Agarwal, Deputy Director General, International Relations Division, DoT, India and the BRICS Chair, Daniel Cavalcanti, reaffirmed the commitment of BRICS nations to mutual learning and collaborative digital development.
The sessions provided a robust platform for sharing national success stories, identifying scalable solutions, and laying the groundwork for future digital cooperation. The outcomes are expected to bolster strategic alliances and foster resilient, inclusive, and future-ready digital societies across BRICS.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
UPSC Bolsters Exam Security with Aadhaar Authentication, AI Surveillance
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. The UPSC has implemented Aadhaar-based identity verification for exam integrity, with over 92% acceptance. Advanced technologies like fingerprint authentication and AI surveillance enhance security. The new portal streamlines applications for various exams. New Delhi: In a bold move to fortify examination integrity, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) reported that just one week after launching its overhauled online portal with Aadhaar-based authentication on May 28, over 92 per cent of registered candidates have accepted the new identity verification method. Spurred by the Puja Khedkar controversy and the NEET paper leak scandal, the UPSC is deploying cutting-edge technologies - including Aadhaar-based fingerprint authentication, facial recognition, QR code scanning for e-admit cards, and AI-driven CCTV surveillance - to safeguard its examination process. The revamped portal, accessible at streamlines applications for UPSC's 14 annual exams, such as the Civil Services Examination, Combined Defence Services Examination, and National Defence Academy Examination, through a four-step process - account creation, universal registration, a standardised application form, and exam-specific submissions. As on June 4, roughly 2.65 lakh accounts were registered, with 1.13 lakh users completing universal registration, 1.05 lakh of whom opted for Aadhaar verification. Approximately 60,000 candidates submitted the common application form, while 55,000 applications remained under review. UPSC chairman Ajay Kumar reportedly said they have removed repetitive data entry, enabling candidates to reuse their details across exams for a seamless and efficient experience. Marking a historic shift, the UPSC had adopted Aadhaar authentication for the first time on August 28, 2024 to implement the voluntary Aadhaar verification using Yes/No or e-KYC methods during registration and exams. In the Puja Khedkar case, the former IAS probationer allegedly submitted 12 forged documents to bypass attempt limits for the 2022 Civil Services Examination. The UPSC nullified her candidature, filed a criminal case, and the DoPT dismissed her from service. Ms Khedkar, denying the charges, is contesting the decisions in court. To further tighten security, the UPSC issued a tender for public sector companies, with a deadline of July 30, 2025 to deploy advanced verification systems. The chosen company will enter a three-year contract, receiving candidate details - name, roll number, and photo - seven days prior to exams for Aadhaar-based fingerprint and facial recognition authentication. Exam centers will be equipped with fingerprint scanners and facial recognition devices, using data from online Aadhaar registrations. The contracted company is prohibited from entering exam venues for verification. Exam rooms will also feature AI-powered CCTV cameras, with a minimum of one camera per 24 candidates, programmed to detect suspicious activities like unauthorised movement, prolonged invigilator loitering, disorganised setups, or activity one hour before or after exams. Real-time alerts will flag irregularities, with penalties imposed for disabled cameras or failed verifications. All exam data must be transferred to the UPSC post-exam, with strict protocols ensuring candidate data remains confidential and provisions for accessibility for disabled candidates. Covering recruitment for Group A and B government posts, the portal encourages Aadhaar use for swift verification, as alternative identity methods may cause delays.
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Indian Express
As Pune gears up for Pride March tomorrow, a transgender couple faces bureaucratic hurdles as they wait to tie the knot
Nearly two years ago, the Supreme Court, in a landmark judgment, affirmed the rights of transgender persons in heterosexual relationships to marry under existing laws. Priti, 29, a transgender from Jamshedpur who aspires to be a beautician and is waiting to tie the knot with Pune-based Trinay, 34, a transman legally recognised as male on his Aadhaar card, however faces several challenges to exercising this right. 'I have my TG Identity card and like any other woman, I want to be a wife, parent, and live with my husband. However, it has been more than one and a half years since the judgment but our transgender community still awaits this right,' Priti said. She hopes to raise this issue at the 13th Annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, and Queer Pride March to be held in Pune on Sunday. Priti, who has passed Class 12 and worked in the hotel management sector, is yet to be accepted by her family. 'I am a transgender person, not a sex worker. I want to become a beautician and earn my living. Mujhe jeena hai (I want to live),' Priti said. She met Trinay on an online portal, and before long, they forged a deep connection as they opened up about their personal struggles, finding strength and understanding in each other's stories. Trinay, assigned female at birth, but who always felt like a male deep inside, had experienced several challenges due to his situation. 'I wanted to pee like a boy, and wear tight T-shirts. Menstruation would give me panic attacks,' recalled Trinay, who works at a tech firm in the city. Deciding that he could not live this dual life anymore, he eventually transitioned to a male after undergoing gender affirming surgery. Speaking to The Indian Express, Trinay said, 'Priti and I have been doing the rounds of the marriage registrar's office only to return disappointed. Instead of guiding us on the online application process and other details, we were asked to obtain a court order.' The duo met Bindumadhav Khire, an LGBTIQ activist and director of Bindu Queer Rights Foundation, Pune, and spoke about their difficulty in registering their marriage under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. 'Both of them have the requisite IDs. The transman has a collector-issued ID with gender stated as 'male' and the other transgender person has a collector-issued ID with the gender stated as 'transgender' as per provisions of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and the corresponding Rules (2020). I too approached the Marriage Registrar, but was told that they have not received any notification with regard to the legality of registering the marriage of transgender people. So they have to obtain an order from the high court or a notification from the government in this regard,' Khire told The Indian Express. The activist later filed a grievance in May on the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System to the Ministry of Home Affairs/Legislative Matters seeking a notification by the central government, to all states and Union territories, on the legality of registering the marriage of a transgender person in a heterosexual relationship. Khire, who received a response on June 6, said that suggestions made in the grievance have been noted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. 'We now hope that action will be taken in this case,' Khire said. When contacted, senior lawyer Anand Grover said that as per the top court's ruling, there was no legal prohibition on transgender individuals from getting married. Meanwhile, at the Marriage Registrar's office, authorities said that the process is now online and they have not received any application from transgender persons so far. While experts said it was likely that some registration offices may require guidance from higher authorities, if they have not previously handled such registrations, Khire said that it was important that LGBTIQ rights granted by the Supreme Court do not remain only on paper. 'This LGBTIQ Pride Month, it is important that LGBTIQ rights granted by the Supreme Court are implemented in letter and spirit. Transgenders who were granted legal recognition in the 2014 judgment (National Legal Services Authority v/s Union of India) still await their right to marry the person of their choice,' Khire added. As per the Supreme Court judgment dated October 17, 2023, in the case involving one Supriyo Chakraborty, the apex court stated, '…..Consequently, we agree with the conclusion…that transgender persons in heterosexual relations have the right to marry under existing laws, including in personal laws regulating marriage. The court's affirmation of the HC judgment in Arun Kumar v Inspector General of Registration…is based upon a correct analysis.' In Arun Kumar's case, the Madras High Court had said in 2019, 'A marriage solemnized between a male and a transwoman, both professing Hindu religion, is a valid marriage in terms of Section 5 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and the Registrar of Marriages is bound to register the same. By holding so, this Court is not breaking any new ground. It is merely stating the obvious. Sometimes, to see the obvious, one needs not only physical vision in the eye but also love in the heart.' Anuradha Mascarenhas is a journalist with The Indian Express and is based in Pune. A senior editor, Anuradha writes on health, research developments in the field of science and environment and takes keen interest in covering women's issues. With a career spanning over 25 years, Anuradha has also led teams and often coordinated the edition. ... Read More
Hans India
10 hours ago
- Hans India
Alternate data sources, frontier technologies critical for policy making: Prof Ajay Sood
Alternate data sources and frontier technologies are increasingly becoming critical for policy making, according to Professor Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the government, who emphasised the need for best policy which blends both traditional and alternative data sources. These high frequency indicators are more dynamic and offer timely insights, enabling policies to be more agile and responsive, he said during an event here, organised by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), in collaboration with NITI Aayog and the World Bank. 'While traditional data sources reflect where we have been, the alternate data sources indicate where we are heading. He added that though alternate data sources provide real time information at a much granular level, they cannot replace tradition data sources,' said Professor Sood. The event was attended by over 450 participants from central ministries, state governments, international organisations including the World Bank, academic and research institutions, and private sector entities. Professor Sood further highlighted various use cases where alternate data sources have been effectively used. He stressed on the need for collaboration between government, academia, researchers, industry and international organizations for effective use of new technologies. Professor Sood also called for ethical deployment of AI and said that data security and privacy concerns cannot be compromised. Further, he asserted that the development of techno-legal framework for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) is a gift of India to the world. Professor Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, said the policy-making process is a complex exercise which involve gathering of data, consultation with stakeholders and drawing insights. 'AI/ML has facilitated timely processing of data for designing actionable policies. In this age and time, challenge is not to collect data but how to make sense of the data. The real challenge lies in addressing issues relating to data privacy, data security, regulatory framework, and institutional readiness,' he noted. Dr Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI, emphasised on the need of fostering collaboration with various stakeholders for developing a robust statistical system to address the data needs for policy making. He expected that in next 3-6 months, MoSPI will be able to implement some of the use cases that have been identified to harness alternate data sources and the application of frontier technologies.
