•  Draft “National Blockchain Strategy” for public comments/inputs. Read more/Download

• Notice for seeking stakeholders inputs on the Draft Indian Telecom Security Assurance requirements (ITSAR) for PCRF (4G Core network element). Read more

• Extension of last date for submitting comments on Draft guidelines for Consumer IoT Security. Read more

• Annual Report for the year 2019-20. Read more

• Consultation Paper on Licensing Framework for Satellite-based connectivity for low bit rate applications

Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd (TPDDL) announced it has introduced Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) technology in its smart meters. The private power distributor has so far installed 230,000 smart meters on the Radio Frequency (RF) technology. The company said the "first-of-its-kind" technology integration has been done involving meter manufacturers and NB-IoT service of Reliance-Jio Network. "NB-IoT is a new and cost-effective technology in 4G and 5G spectrum with fast deployment quality.

The government has started inviting applications for the second round of large-scale electronics manufacturing under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme with focus on some electronic components like motherboards boards   semiconductor devices, among others. The application window for the scheme has been opened till March 31 which may be further extended, as per guidelines issued by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (Meity).

The Union Cabinet approved the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for air conditioners (ACs) and light-emitting diode (LED) lights with an aim to boost the local component supply ecosystem for these items. Under the new PLI, a sum of Rs 6,238 crore (€73 billion) has been approved as incentives to selected manufacturers over a five-year period starting 2021-22.  Since last April, the cabinet, headed by Prime Minister, has approved PLI for five sectors. But unlike the previous ones the latest scheme solely focuses on component manufacturing.

• Central Electricity Authority (CEA) notified Draft Central Electricity Authority (Measures Relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2021 for public comments. Read more/Download

• Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Ministry of Power (MoP) invited comments on draft standard technical specifications of Transformer (s) for Solar Park Pooling station. Read more

• Notification on the division and demerger of the Central Transmission Utility and Power Grid Corporation of lndia Limited Transfer Scheme, 2021. Read more/Download

• Amendments to the Guidelines for Tariff Based Competitive Bidding Process for Procurement of Round-The Clock Power from Grid Connected Renewable Energy Power Projects, complemented with Power from any other source or storage.

• Approved Models and Manufacturers of Solar Photovoltaic Modules (Requirement for Compulsory Registration) Order, 2019 - Implementation - Reg. Read more/Download

• Imposition of 25% Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on Solar PV Cells & 40% on Solar Modules/ Panels. Download

• Draft policy framework for developing and promoting decentralised renewable energy livelihood applications. Read more/Download

• Guidelines for International Solar Alliance (ISA) undergraduate Fellowship Program. Read more/Download

Guidelines for enlistment under "Approved Models and Manufacturer of Solar Photovoltaic Modules Order, 2019" – Amendment.

The Indian government has finalized PLI norms for the telecom and network equipment manufacturing. The cabinet had recently approved the broader PLI scheme worth Rs 12,200 crore (€1.4 billion)  to boost local manufacturing of telecom gear for both the domestic market and exports. The scheme will cover core transmission equipment, 4G/5G and next-generation radio access network and wireless equipment, access and customer premise equipment (CPE), Internet of Things (IoT) access devices, and enterprise equipment such as switches and router.The Indian government has finalized PLI norms for the telecom and network equipment manufacturing. The cabinet had recently approved the broader PLI scheme worth Rs 12,200 crore (€1.4 billion)  to boost local manufacturing of telecom gear for both the domestic market and exports. The scheme will cover core transmission equipment, 4G/5G and next-generation radio access network and wireless equipment, access and customer premise equipment (CPE), Internet of Things (IoT) access devices, and enterprise equipment such as switches and router.

Prime Minister said production linked incentive scheme, which is aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and exports, is expected to increase the country's production by USD 520 billion in the next five years. In this year's Budget, about Rs 2 lakh crore was earmarked for the PLI scheme for the next five years and "there is an expectation that the scheme would result in increasing the production by about USD 520 billion in the next five years".  There is also an expectation that the current workforce in the sectors, which will avail the benefits of the PLI scheme, will be doubled and job creation will also increase.

MoS for Education, Communications, Electronics and IT, said that materials are the backbone of the manufacturing sector in the country and that India’s electronics manufacturing has grown from Rs 1.90 lakh crore (€ 22.3 billion) International Energy Agency akh crore to Rs 5.33 lakh crore (€62.7 billion) in recent years. From contributing approximately 1.3% in 2012, the share of mobile phone manufacturing has increased to 3.6 per cent during 2019 - 2020. This growth has opened employability for thousands,".