Recent Current Affairs related to AI

The National e-Governance Division (NeGD), an independent business division under the Digital India Corporation (DIC) of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has empanelled 6 firms to provide AI and Machine Learning (ML) solutions for central ministries and agencies.

The selected firms are TCS, NEC India, Kyndryl Solutions, Innefu Labs, CoRover.ai, and Cactus Technology Solutions. The empanelment is valid for 2 years, with a provision for an extension of up to 1 year.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has inaugurated a 20 kW Akashvani FM transmitter in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, to upgrade communication capabilities along the India-Pakistan border.

He also announced the establishment of an Advanced Quantum Computing and Quantum Communications Lab and a dedicated AI Lab at the Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT) in Jaipur.

The ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research (ICAR-IIOR), Hyderabad, has launched “Oilseeds Kisaan Mitra,” a WhatsApp-based AI advisory service.

The initiative aims to harness digital technology to benefit the farming community. It enables oilseed farmers across India to access free, trusted, and instant crop advisory through WhatsApp.

Meta has partnered with Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) to develop its first large-scale AI-enabled data centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat.

Under the agreement, the former will lease 168 MW of AI-ready data centre capacity from RIL, with operations expected to commence by 2028.

India has joined ‘Project Glasswing’, a global cybersecurity initiative led by Anthropic PBC, gaining access to ‘Claude Mythos AI’, an advanced AI model.

This model is designed to identify software vulnerabilities and strengthen cyber defences for critical infrastructure, helping participating nations enhance their cybersecurity resilience and safeguard their critical digital infrastructure.

Saurabh Vijay, the CEO of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), has assumed additional charge as the CEO of the IndiaAI Mission.

He succeeds Abhishek Singh. Sudeep Shrivastava has assumed charge as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the IndiaAI Mission.

According to the “State of India’s Digital Economy (SIDE) 2026” report released by the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER)-Prosus Centre for Internet and Digital Economy (IPCIDE), India ranks as the world’s 5th most digitalised economy.

In the Connect, Harness, Innovate, Protect and Sustain (CHIPS) index for AI, India is positioned 4th globally, behind USA, China, and Singapore. India also recorded an 8.8% growth in internet users. It is to be noted that India accounts for 19.9% of global AI users and possesses the 2nd largest concentration of AI talent worldwide.

The Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) has launched the ‘VYOMA Innovation Challenge’ to promote the development of open-source, multilingual, and voice-first AI solutions. The initiative is launched in partnership with Current AI and Kalpa Impact.

The challenge focuses on creating AI solutions that can operate in offline and low-connectivity environments. It is structured around ‘Sunno Sutra’, a multilingual, voice-first, open-source handheld AI reference device.

Chandigarh University in Punjab has become the first private university in India to launch an ‘IndiaAI Data Lab’.

The lab has been established in partnership with Intel India to enhance students’ employability by providing industry-relevant skills in AI, Data Science, and emerging technologies.

The Indian Army has successfully completed operational trials of the Divyastra Mk-1 in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

The Divyastra Mk-1 is an advanced indigenous AI powered tactical loitering munition system developed by Hoverit. It is designed to strengthen Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities along the border regions of India.

Microsoft has unveiled “Majorana 2”, its second-generation topological quantum computing chip developed using its agentic AI platform, “Microsoft Discovery”.

The prototype features 12 topological qubits as a model for scalable systems, with the company aiming to develop commercially viable quantum systems by 2029. Additionally, Microsoft has introduced “Scout”, an AI-powered Microsoft 365 assistant designed to autonomously manage schedules, emails, and meetings.

Hindustan Unilever Ltd has inaugurated the Unilever Fragrance Hub (UFH) at the IIT Bombay. This is the third such global facility for the company, after the ones in the UK and the USA.

The Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) has signed an MoU with the Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure & Artificial Intelligence (DPI-AI) at Kathmandu University, Nepal.

The partnership aims to advance Language AI, multilingual digital public infrastructure, and inclusive digital ecosystems in both India and Nepal.

The National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) has signed three MoUs to modernise Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) through digital innovation and structural enhancements.

Under the first agreement, the EdTech firm CoGrad will provide 499 EMRSs with two years of free access to its “Medha AI” platform. NESTS has also renewed its corporate philanthropy partnership with the Learning Links Foundation (Amazon) for another two years. Additionally, a governance MoU signed with the Bihar Mahadalit Vikas Mission has standardised EMRS funding at ₹1.47 lakh per student.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has signed three contracts with the IIT Bombay to indigenously develop AI-driven predictive maintenance technologies.

This initiative includes the development of a digital diagnostic health index for the Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft fleet. The Su-30MKI is a twin-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft developed by Sukhoi, Russia, and customised for India by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL).

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has signed a multi-million dollar deal with Sweden-based SKF to deploy a next-generation Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform.

The partnership aims to leverage AI across Information Technology (IT) systems and business operations to enhance customer experience and support long-term growth. As part of the agreement, the former will provide end-to-end managed services, including applications, infrastructure, data management, end-user services, security, and connectivity for SKF operations globally.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the ‘SARTHAK-PDS’ (Scheme for Assistance in Ration Transport and Handling-Income with Automation in PDS) umbrella scheme with a central outlay of ₹25,530 crore.

The program will be implemented for 5 years from April 2026 to March 2031, aiming to modernize the food subsidy network and benefit citizens covered under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).

The scheme integrates two legacy programs: the ‘Assistance to State Agencies for intra-State movement of foodgrains and Fair Price Shop (FPS) dealers' margin under NFSA’ and the ‘Scheme for Modernization and Reforms through Technology in Public Distribution System (SMART PDS)’. This integration aims to reduce leakages and streamline operations.

Google and UNICEF have announced a 3-year global partnership at the Education World Forum (EWF) 2026 to deploy AI-powered education tools and digital learning resources for students and educators.

The initiative aims to bridge the digital divide and strengthen foundational skills such as reading, comprehension, and numeracy. The project will be implemented in Brazil, India, Kenya, and Pakistan, in collaboration with national governments and local communities.

Indian Railways (IR) has inaugurated a Centre of Excellence (CoE) named “CHIRAG” (Centre for HR Information Systems, Research and Analytics in Governance) at the South Central Railway (SCR) grounds in Secunderabad, Telangana.

The centre is dedicated to human resource management training, research, and digital transformation within IR. It aims to serve as the technological backbone for the Human Resource Management System (HRMS) by providing nationwide certified, role-based training. The project is scheduled for full completion by May 2028.

The Tamil Nadu government has signed an MoU with Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for investments worth ₹18,600 crore.

The agreement covers 3 projects: a Hyperscale and Edge AI Data Centre in Kancheepuram (₹15,000 crore), an Electronics and Electrical Systems Manufacturing Hub in Coimbatore (₹2,500 crore), and an Offshore Wind Infrastructure and Shipyard Expansion in Kattupalli, Tiruvallur (₹1,100 crore).