Latest news with #andinformationtechnology
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
MeitY jumpstarts talks on data centre policy to boost capacity
Academy Empower your mind, elevate your skills The ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) has restarted consultations on the draft national data centre policy , according to officials, as the government looks to sharpen its approach to wooing investments in such facilities in the policy, which aims to encourage setting up of data centres through single-window permissions, streamlining approvals, promoting domestic manufacturing and providing incentives, was announced in 2020 but never week, a limited stakeholder consultation held by the ministry in the national capital was attended by industry representatives, who have been asked to submit recommendations by this week, the officials said."The existing policy was comprehensive. We have sought feedback on how to update it in line with how the sector has changed over the past five years," said one of the officials cited rapid expansion of the sector and AI-led growth have led to the need for having such facilities across the country, centrally planning for rising power consumption and coordinating with state governments, he of the features of the draft policy, such as single-window clearances, four dedicated Data Centre Economic Zones (DCEZs), and targeted incentives, have been discussed in recent meetings, said industry executives who participated at the last aimed to make India a favorable destination for data centres by streamlining approvals, promoting domestic manufacturing and providing incentives. The government has partially adopted one of its key suggestions—granting infrastructure status to data centres with capacity of 5 MW or higher."The government is keen on the DCEZs since it would help distribute the uneven spread of data centres, especially taking advantage of the many smaller edge data centres that are set to come up in interior locations," a person aware of the matter told ET. "It has given the example of India's first AI-based data centre park opening in Chhattisgarh's Naya Raipur in May."The DCEZ was envisioned to create an ecosystem of hyperscalers , cloud service providers, IT companies, R&D units and other allied industries at select locations."Considering that at least 10 states have now brought in data centre policies, the government plans to adopt some of the elements of the various state data centre policies based on industry feedback," said an executive with a Mumbai-based data centre operator. Although Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal have rolled out the red carpet for data centres, nearly 80% of the total capacity is still in the large metros—Mumbai (41%), Chennai (23%) and Delhi NCR (14%), according to real estate services firm Colliers India.
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
IAMAI flags ambiguities in data protection law; cautions impact on AI innovation
The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) flagged ambiguities related to handling personal data in the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023, in a submission before the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY). The industry body said restrictions on using publicly available data for artificial intelligence (AI) training would increase compliance burdens on AI companies, hinder technological progress, and disproportionately affect startups and smaller AI firms. In the submission, IAMAI said the ambiguities 'surrounding the processing of publicly available personal data might pose practical challenges for AI companies, particularly those using large datasets for training their models.' For them to verify whether the publicly available data was voluntarily made available is 'practically unfeasible,' it added. 'Even where personal data is shared publicly to comply with a legal obligation, it may be re-shared or resurface online through various means well after the initial legal disclosure, making it difficult for AI companies to process such data,' IAMAI presented in its submission. IAMAI suggested amending the DPDP Act to remove obstacles to using publicly available personal data for AI training. As an interim measure, the government may consider exempting data fiduciaries from certain provisions of the DPDP Act when they are processing personal data solely for AI training or fine-tuning, it suggested. The DPDP Act is yet to be operationalised, after the ministry invited stakeholders' comments on the rules in January. Earlier this week, digital payment companies Google Pay, PhonePe, and Amazon Pay, and the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) sought exemption from provisions of the DPDP Act that require user consent for each transaction, citing increased compliance burden, especially severe for small platforms.
Time of India
26-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Rare earth supply risk: Indian electronics firms worried as Chinese curbs may hit; but can Beijing also afford this?
This is an AI-generated image, used for representational purposes only. A number of applicants under India's Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) have flagged concerns over meeting their first-year production targets due to ongoing shortages of rare earth minerals. According to ET, at least 10 companies have raised the issue with the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY), warning that if the shortage continues for another six months, they may not be able to meet the incentive-linked thresholds. The rare earth scarcity stems from export restrictions imposed by China, which controls more than 90% of global rare earth processing. China introduced special licensing requirements for seven rare earth elements and associated magnets from April 4 this year, leading to supply disruptions across key industries. These include electronics, automobiles, and clean energy technologies. "Companies have expressed concern, but within the sector, it isn't an alarming outcry," an official aware of the matter was quoted as saying by ET. 'If there is a component that uses rare earth, instead of importing that rare earth and making that component in India, they will simply import that component.' While firms are exploring alternatives, such as sourcing from different suppliers or shifting to rare-earth-free technologies, the timing has been challenging, particularly for those scaling up manufacturing for exports. 'The ECMS has been unveiled at a time when many entities want to scale up and take advantage of exports,' said Ashok Chandak, president of the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA), as quoted by ET. He added that supply shocks in rare earth magnets have hit the sector hard. The Rs 22,919 crore ECMS, launched in May, seeks to build a robust domestic ecosystem for electronic components like multi-layer PCBs, lithium-ion cells, resistors, capacitors, display and camera modules. PCBs have attracted particular attention from applicants, according to KS Babu, secretary of the Indian Printed Circuit Association (IPCA), who noted that the scheme addresses both multi-layer and high-density interconnect boards. However, he also pointed out that local production of key inputs like copper-clad laminates is still missing. 'Chinese suppliers are now taking advantage by squeezing prices, citing problems with shipments,' Babu said, as per ET. The scheme, effective from FY26 through FY32, includes a one-year gestation period. However, manufacturers, particularly MSMEs, have sought quicker access to incentives to recover their investments. A Delhi-based PCB maker was cited by ET saying that the government has informally assured leniency during the verification and claims process. Responding to industry requests, MeitY will extend the ECMS application window beyond July 31, as confirmed by officials. Many small firms are still finalising their sourcing channels, joint ventures, and tech partnerships. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, minister of state for commerce and industry Jitin Prasada noted that the export restrictions on rare earth magnets have led to supply chain bottlenecks for auto and electronics sectors. However, the ministry has not received specific reports of cost escalation or project delays from industry hubs in Maharashtra, as per news agency PTI. Despite the disruption, industry leaders remain hopeful. 'China also can't afford to continue an export ban for long, since their companies will begin bleeding and it will place a long term strain on their relations with many countries,' Chandak said, as per ET. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Mint
12-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
How a manufacturing boom could help India close the gender gap
The Donald Trump administration's announcement of reciprocal tariffs on several American trading partners is causing a strategic shift in trade globally. As India gears up to take advantage of this by ramping up manufacturing, there lurks another opportunity. Many of the manufacturing sectors in focus, such as apparel, textiles, footwear, food products and electronics, have a higher than average representation of women in their workforce. In fact, an estimated 60% of the women employed in (both formal and informal) manufacturing are in these sectors. This could be a critical moment for women's workforce participation and their economic empowerment in India, and presents an opportunity too precious to be lost. As things stand, Periodic Labour Force Survey data shows that India is at the cusp of the U-shaped curve for female employment popularized by Economics Nobel prize winner Claudia Goldin. Simply put, as India's income grows, more women should be entering the workforce, triggering a virtuous cycle of development. A gendered approach to manufacturing could provide the tipping point. Also Read: Abandon prejudices for women's participation in workforce to rise A brief look at the sectors first. The Indian textiles and apparel industry is projected to grow at a compounded 10% a year to reach $350 billion by 2030 even without the fillip that an export boost may bring. About half the women in formal manufacturing work in the textiles and apparel sector. This is an industry with a history of employing women and a demonstrated comfort with integrating them into the workforce, making it a natural focus area for scaling up female labour-intensive production. Electronics is another major sector set to expand rapidly, as Indian exports of smartphones, laptops and other items look up, thanks partly to new advantages. The electronics sector contributes about 3.4% of India's GDP. According to the ministry of electronics and information technology, the exports of India's electronics industry are expected to increase to $120 billion by 2026. Gender-representation data of the largest companies in India shows that the consumer durables sector (in which electronics falls) has 14% women, up from only 9% in 2021, driven by players such as Foxconn in Tamil Nadu's electronics hub. This is an appropriate moment to hardwire gender inclusion into India's global electronics trade strategy. Also Read: Women-centric policies need to deliver progress that's tangible and enduring Footwear is yet another area of potential growth. The industry is poised for compounded expansion of about 13% annually. Footwear manufacturing is labour-intensive and traditionally employs a high share of women. Targeted support to expand production could boost exports and create thousands of jobs for women. The potential for growth in women's employment is clearly demonstrated by our regional neighbours. Women make up 80% of the workforce in Vietnam's footwear industry, 65% in Bangladesh's garments industry and 60-65% in Malaysia's electronics industry, all of which are job- and money-spinners for their respective export sectors. Employment-linked incentive (ELI) schemes, which states commonly roll out to encourage businesses to create local jobs, can be modified to include an additional benefit linked to women's representation. These incentives can be offered in a way that blends well with existing schemes in those sectors, so that they do not require much additional budgetary support. Also Read: Rahul Jacob: Working for women bosses is a privilege one must treasure Payroll subsidies: Providing a greater subsidy for the employment of women or extending the duration for which a subsidy is paid out in the case of jobs given to women can also help. The subsidy can be set in tiers—progressive benefits with greater women's representation—to ensure a practical and sustained programme. Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) reimbursement subsidy: An easy way to roll out a payroll subsidy is to link it to the employer's EPFO contribution for women employees. This has the dual benefit of easier authentication and lower need for payroll processing resources. Capital investment support: Capital expenditure subsidies, including tax benefits and preferential financing for infrastructure investments, can have specified gender diversity targets. One-time hiring support: Since there may initially be higher costs of hiring associated with employing women, a one-time subsidy could be given to compensate for that and prevent women from being penalized for this job-opportunity-reducing cost gap. Such support should cover jobs across the skill spectrum from blue-collar to white. Also Read: Why business schools hold the key to bridging the gender gap Employment through skilling programmes: Many women gain skills under schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana or train at industrial training institutes, but are unable to participate in the job market for a variety of reasons. While this needs to be addressed, industrial employers should be incentivized to go the extra mile in hiring women with such qualifications. One-time hiring support for senior roles: An incentive for hiring women in high-level or high-skill demanding roles could help. For example, in Tamil Nadu, there is a three-year subsidy for jobs paying over ₹1 lakh per month, with an additional amount if the employee is a woman. Given our commitment to Viksit Bharat and Nari Shakti, this is the right time to harness the power of women for national development. This is a historic knock of an opportunity, one we must not miss. A manufacturing boom could help the country close the gender gap. The authors are, respectively, former secretary, ministry of labour and employment, Government of India; and founding CEO, the Udaiti Foundation.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
PM Narendra Modi urges tech-first governance, boost for startups, MSMEs
Prime minister Narendra Modi has called on India's civil services to embrace a technology-first approach while staying firmly rooted in sound human judgement. 'No matter how tech-driven the world becomes, we should never forget the importance of human judgements,' PM Modi said while addressing bureaucrats in New Delhi at the 17th Civil Services Day programme. Modi emphasised a complete shift toward tech-driven, efficient governance, stating that 'quality is governance.' He highlighted that India is now 10–11 years ahead of many countries in using digital tools to streamline public services and business processes. He further added that over 40,000 compliances have been removed, delays reduced, and errors decriminalised, resulting in a major push for ease of doing business. A recent Accenture study, surveying 190 Indian executives and 4,000 globally, reveals that by 2025, AI will not just automate existing business processes but also create new processes, workflows, and software. Echoing a similar sentiment earlier this month, the ministry of electronics and information technology ( MeitY) secretary S Krishnan , noted that India has little reason to fear job losses from artificial intelligence (AI). Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories Krishnan stated that ongoing workforce training initiatives are preparing individuals for new and emerging roles in the evolving job market shaped by AI advancements. Fuelling MSME & startup growth In a rapidly evolving economic landscape, PM Modi emphasised the critical role of officials in supporting startups and MSMEs as key drivers of innovation. Modi urged officials to view themselves as enablers of growth, especially for startups and MSMEs, in light of India's evolving economic landscape, where smaller enterprises are becoming key drivers of innovation, supply chain management, and global competitiveness. He underlined that India is no longer a passive player but is leading globally—citing the G20 presidency and India's innovation benchmarks. He called for greater adoption of global technologies and a holistic approach in governance. 'In today's digital and information age, governance is not just about managing systems. It's about multiplying opportunities,' Modi said, stressing the need for civil servants to be tech-savvy, skilled in data-driven decision-making, and proactive in cybersecurity. Earlier, Union minister Piyush Goyal highlighted that Indian startups are gaining global recognition with strong deal pipelines. He stressed the need to strengthen both upstream and downstream sectors for a more centralised ecosystem. Challenges ahead As technology continues to advance, significant disruptions in the workforce are becoming increasingly evident. Job displacement and the need for reskilling are set to escalate, reshaping industries across the globe. According to data from layoff tracking platform Trueup, the tech sector has seen 234 layoffs this year, affecting 45,656 employees, averaging 439 layoffs per day. Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates also predicted that over the next two decades, AI advancements will greatly reduce global dependence on human labour in both white-collar and blue-collar jobs. According to Gates, in 20 years , AI will have transformed industries to the point where the current capitalist framework may no longer fully explain the changes, as robots will be capable of performing both physical tasks traditionally done by blue-collar workers and intellectual tasks usually handled by white-collar workers. Experts view the job cuts in 2024 as early signs of displacement, with roles becoming redundant due to AI adoption. TeamLease Digital forecasts that by 2027, over 16 million Indian workers will need reskilling and upskilling to adapt to AI's impact.
