Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) and NITI Aayog launched Digital India AatmaNirbhar Bharat App Innovation Challenge to realise PM's vision of Digital India – AatmaNirbhar Bharat.

• RFP for Developing a Long-Term Vision, Implementation Plan, Road Map and Institutional Framework for implementing One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG). Read more/Download
• Request for comments on draft specifications for technology neutral Lithium batteries for solar off-grid applications. Read more/Download
• Order for formation of Project Development Cell (PDC) for "Attracting Investments in India". Read more/Download
• Modifications in Scheme for “Development of solar parks and Ultra Mega solar power projects” – Read more/Download

Minister for MSMEs, Road Transport & Highways, Govt of India, said that the government is likely to set up a multi-purpose R&D centre to reduce import dependence and promote the Make in India (MII) and Made in India initiatives. Addressing an ‘Interactive Meeting of Industry Chambers & Business Associations’, organized by FICCI, Mr Gadkari said, “Industry can buy land and the government will support by providing technology and equipment to the centre.” The industry can tie-up with various IITs and engineering colleges, especially those in agri-related equipment, to find solutions to various products being imported and develop under the Make in India and Made in India campaigns.

The Department of Telecom is working on rolling out a Rs 15,000-crore (€1.8 billion) worth production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme to promote the domestic production of telecom equipment.  The DoT is preparing the draft cabinet note to provide financial incentives to companies that produce 5G telecom equipment. The scheme's primary aim would be to boost the domestic production of telecom equipment and reduce the dependence of Chinese suppliers. State-run Indian Telephone Industries Limited (ITI), Sterlite Technology, Tejas Network, and Himachal Futuristic Communications Ltd. (HFCL) are some of the domestic players involved in the manufacturing of telecom equipment.

Artificial intelligence (AI) driven technology startups in India can now showcase their innovative solutions in various fields such as healthcare, education, agriculture, and more, through a new challenge initiated by the government. In order to promote and showcase such innovative AI solutions developed by entrepreneurs, an AI Solution Challenge is being organised for Indian startups in the field of Artificial Intelligence by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).

India has for the first time made it to the top 50 countries in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2020. India has moved up four positions since 2019 to become the third-most innovative lower-middle-income economy in the world, according to the report. India, at 48, also retains the highest rank in the central and southern Asia region.

India ranks in the top 15 in indicators such as information and communications technology services exports, government online services, graduates in science and engineering, and research and development (R&D)- intensive global companies. The report has attributed the improvement to universities, such as the Indian Institutes of Technology in Bombay and Delhi, and the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru, besides its top scientific publications, stating that India is the lower middle-income economy with the highest innovation quality.

India and the European Union have renewed their agreement to expand scientific and technological cooperation aimed at strengthening their collaboration in this area in the next five years. Last week, the two sides agreed to renew the agreement on scientific cooperation till 2025 at the 15th India-EU Summit, which was led by Prime Minister from the Indian side.

The European Union delegation was headed by European Council President Charles Michel and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The agreement was initially signed on Nov 23, 2001 and renewed in 2007 and 2015.

Apiary-CoE aims to incubate 100 start-ups in the field of blockchain technology and to contribute to government of India's 'Make-in-India' and 'Digital India' programmes

Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) has launched Apiary, a centre of excellence (CoE) in Blockchain and also an 'Idea Challenge Program in Blockchain' at STP incubation centre, Gurugram in association with Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of Haryana, Government Blockchain Association and several blue-chip companies and top tier academic institutions.

DoT is expected to provide the spectrum needed by telecom service providers for testing their 5G networks. 5G is the fifth-generation technology standard for cellular networks, superior to the 4G networks which currently provide connectivity to most cellphones. The testing was originally scheduled for March but got delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Telecom operators will need 6 months of testing 5G devices and spectrum before we begin auctions”. “We are looking at providing the companies with spectrum for the testing by September so that they can begin the process,” the official said.

As a one stop solution for Indian automobile industry, portal a step towards the vision of ‘AatmaNirbhar’ Bharat. Department of Heavy Industry (DHI), Govt of India, has embarked on a mission to promote innovation, R&D and product development in India for various sectors. A step towards this mission is the creation of technology platform e-portals where such technology development, information exchange and innovation can be facilitated. There are five portals being developed for specific sectors by different organizations viz, BHEL for power sector equipment, HMT for machine tools, CMFTI for manufacturing technology, ICAT and ARAI for automotive sector.