Tag: MeitY

TechPulse

Goa Strengthens AI Commitment at India AI Impact Summit 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa is reinforcing its commitment to emerging technologies and future-ready governance with a strong and strategic presence at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology at Bharat Mandapam from February 16 to 20, 2026. The summit marks the first major global AI gathering hosted in the Global South and seeks to shape an inclusive, responsible and resilient Artificial Intelligence ecosystem aligned with the vision of People, Planet and Progress.

The Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, is representing the state at the summit, underscoring its strategic ambition to position Goa as an emerging AI-driven innovation hub within India and on the international stage. The event has drawn participation from political leaders, industry heads, startups and global stakeholders, placing Goa’s initiatives in a broader global conversation on ethical and scalable AI.

During the inaugural knowledge-sharing workshop on AI adoption, Shri Heramb Kanekar from the Startup and IT Promotion Cell, DITE&C, outlined Goa’s AI roadmap and reaffirmed the state’s focus on building citizen-centric and responsible AI solutions. Under the Goa AI Mission 2027, the government has introduced initiatives such as the AI for Governance & Social Impact workshop, AI Hackathons and the launch of an AI Chatbot on the Goa Online Portal. These measures reflect a policy direction that views AI not merely as a technological upgrade, but as a transformative tool to improve public service delivery, enhance transparency, empower startups and drive sustainable economic growth.

A major highlight of the summit is the AI Impact Expo at Bharat Mandapam, an expansive experiential showcase spanning over 70,000 square metres across 10 arenas and featuring more than 840 exhibitors. The expo was inaugurated by Narendra Modi on the opening day, drawing significant national and international attention.

Supported by DITE&C, five Goa-based startups are exhibiting at the expo, demonstrating AI applications across diverse sectors. These include DivvyUp and Grow by Shri Gaurish Datta Pangam and Shri Shivam Kamat; Frover Labs Pvt. Ltd. by Shri Siddharth Manjrekar and Shri Sarvesh Patkar; Neural Kissan by Shri Sai Vitthal Rane; Kverty by Shri Mexson Fernandes; and Phosic India Pvt. Ltd. by Shri Dewansh Choudhary. Their participation highlights the depth and diversity of Goa’s growing innovation ecosystem and the state’s commitment to nurturing AI-led entrepreneurship.

While the expo remains open throughout the summit, the final two days will feature Leaders’ Plenary Sessions, roundtables and panel discussions focusing on how AI can serve humanity, foster inclusive growth and support sustainable development. Through forward-looking policy, strategic collaborations and sustained investment in its startup ecosystem, Goa is positioning itself as a responsible and future-ready AI destination.

Delegates, industry leaders, investors and visitors are invited to explore the Goa Pavilion at Stall No. 4F.21 in Hall No. 4 to experience firsthand how Goan innovators are leveraging Artificial Intelligence to create meaningful, inclusive and sustainable impact.

TechPulse

X Admits Lapse in India, Removes 3,500 Grok Posts and Deletes 600 Accounts Over Objectionable Content

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Microblogging platform X has acknowledged lapses in handling objectionable content generated by its AI chatbot Grok, leading to the removal of approximately 3,500 posts and the deletion of over 600 accounts in India. The action came about a week after the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology raised serious concerns over obscene and sexually explicit content linked to the AI tool.

Officials aware of the development said the company accepted its mistake and committed to complying with Indian laws. According to a communication shared with authorities, X assured that it would not allow obscene imagery going forward. However, neither MeitY nor X issued an official public statement detailing the timeline or scope of the action taken.

Grok, developed by Elon Musk’s xAI and integrated into X, has faced intense scrutiny globally after users exploited its image-generation and editing capabilities to create non-consensual and sexualised deepfake images, including those involving women and minors. These images spread rapidly on the platform, prompting investigations by regulators in multiple countries. Indonesia has already suspended access to Grok, while authorities in the European Union and the UK have launched probes into the tool’s safeguards.

MeitY formally wrote to X on January 2, flagging what it described as serious failures in preventing obscene content generated using Grok. The ministry warned that continued non-compliance could result in X losing its safe harbour protection under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act. X sought an extension to respond, citing the Christmas and New Year holidays, with the deadline set for January 7.

Officials indicated that the ministry was dissatisfied with X’s initial response, which largely reiterated existing user policies without detailing concrete enforcement actions. This prompted MeitY to seek a more detailed report outlining specific steps taken against offending content and accounts. The government also clarified that Grok would be treated as a content creator rather than merely a platform tool, a classification that could significantly impact intermediary liability.

The ministry noted that misuse of Grok was not limited to fake accounts but also targeted women who uploaded their own photos or videos, which were then manipulated using AI prompts. The letter cited violations under multiple Indian laws, including provisions of the IT Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

X was directed to comprehensively review Grok’s prompt processing, output generation, image handling and safety guardrails, and to enforce strong deterrent measures such as account suspensions and terminations. MeitY officials have stated that compliance by X and other platforms will continue to be closely monitored, warning that any recurrence of violations could invite stricter action.

The controversy has also drawn political attention, with Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi accusing X of monetising harmful behaviour after restricting Grok’s image-generation feature to paid users. The episode underscores growing global concerns around AI-generated content, especially as reports indicate a sharp rise in AI-generated abuse imagery worldwide, intensifying calls for stricter regulation and accountability.

EduConnect

Asymmetrical Learning Partners with CECC to Bring U.S. Collegiate Esports ‘May Madness’ to India

Tanisha Cardozo

The Nadathur S. Raghavan Centre for Entrepreneurial Learning (NSRCEL) incubated Asymmetrical Learning, led by Siddharth Rahalkar, has announced a landmark partnership with the Collegiate Esports Commissioner’s Cup (CECC) to bring the U.S. collegiate esports phenomenon, May Madness, to India. The collaboration marks the first international licensing deal for CECC’s operator, the Collegiate Sports Management Group (CSMG), and aims to establish a structured collegiate esports ecosystem across Indian schools and universities.

In a statement, S. Krishnan, Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), clarified, “The concern is not with esports, but with money-based gaming. Esports represent skill, discipline, and digital learning—not gambling. Through the new law, our aim is to create a clear national framework that supports competitive gaming and educational innovation.”

The move comes as India strengthens its policy and regulatory frameworks for the gaming sector through the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which officially recognizes esports as a legitimate sport. The new act has created an environment that encourages innovation and legitimizes organized gaming competitions.

Siddharth Rahalkar, Founder of Asymmetrical Learning, said, “Our partnership with CSMG allows us to bring organized collegiate esports to students nationwide. Recognizing esports as a competitive sport enables us to design tournaments that promote critical thinking, teamwork, and digital literacy—skills essential for success in modern education and careers.”

The collaboration will mark the first global expansion of CECC, North America’s largest collegiate esports championship, which brings together university-level gamers in structured tournaments. The Indian edition aims to mirror this success by nurturing an ecosystem that supports scholastic esports from high school to college level.

Incubated at NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore, one of India’s leading startup accelerators, Asymmetrical Learning benefits from mentorship, research support, and an innovation-driven community. The company’s parent organization, Acceler Edtech Pvt. Ltd., is registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

The partnership between Asymmetrical Learning and CECC highlights the growing convergence between education, gaming, and technology, while fostering cross-border collaboration between India and the U.S. It reinforces esports as a tool for digital learning and global skill development—positioning India as a rising force in the international esports landscape.

National

SEMICON India 2025 Concludes with Global Recognition, Reinforces India’s Ascent inthe Semiconductor Industry

Tanisha Cardozo

SEMICON India 2025 concluded on September 4th, 2025, at Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi, marking a pivotal chapter in India’s rise as a semiconductor leader. Spanning three days from September 2nd to 4th, the event brought together over 350 exhibiting companies and delegates from 48 countries. With more than 35,000 registrations, 30,000 footfalls, and 25,000 online viewers, the conference showcased the unprecedented scale of global interest in India’s growing semiconductor ecosystem.

This year’s edition, jointly organized by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and SEMI, the global semiconductor association, became a defining platform for high-level dialogue, strategic partnerships, and technology showcases. The event featured four international pavilions, six country roundtables, and a workforce development pavilion, along with sessions covering chip design, fabrication, display technologies, packaging, research, state-level policy initiatives, and supply chain development.

Inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the conference reflected India’s deep commitment to becoming a self-reliant and globally competitive hub for semiconductors. The Prime Minister not only visited the exhibition floors but also held a closed-door roundtable with top global semiconductor CEOs and CXOs to engage on India’s emerging role in the chip supply chain. In his address, he affirmed, “The day is not far when India’s smallest chip will drive the world’s biggest change,” signaling India’s readiness to transform from a market to a maker of advanced technology.

Throughout the three days, participants engaged in panel discussions, startup showcases, and knowledge exchanges. On the opening day, the Union Minister announced 13 MoUs aimed at building indigenous capabilities across chip design, camera modules, packaging, and talent development. The closing ceremony, led by ISM CEO Shri Amitesh Kumar Sinha and SEMI President Shri Ajit Manocha, featured seven more announcements solidifying India’s semiconductor roadmap.

More than just a technology event, SEMICON India 2025 embodied the spirit of “Design and Make in India,” a forward-looking vision backed by strong policy, global partnerships, and local innovation. As global supply chains diversify and the need for resilient semiconductor ecosystems becomes paramount, India is emerging not only as a strategic partner but as a driver of the digital future.

From Bengaluru to Gandhinagar to Greater Noida and now New Delhi, each edition of SEMICON India has progressively elevated India’s global position. With this year’s success, India sends a strong message: it is no longer catching up—it is shaping the next generation of chip innovation. Backed by reform-driven governance and the long-term vision of the India Semiconductor Mission, the country is poised to lead in the foundational technologies that power tomorrow’s world.

TechPulse

Goa AI Mission 2027 Sets Roadmap for Citizen-First Digital Transformation

allycaralgoa

Goa, August 23, 2025 — In a landmark move towards building an AI-led state, the Government of Goa under the Goa AI Mission 2027 has set a strong roadmap for citizen-first governance. The event, AI for Governance & Social Impact: Leveraging Technology for Inclusive, Responsible, and Sustainable Public Systems, brought together leaders from government, academia, and global industry to shape Goa’s AI journey.

The highlight of the event was the signing of an MoU between the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Goa, and the Digital India Bhashini Division (MeitY). This collaboration will bring multilingual AI solutions into Goa’s public systems, ensuring governance that is inclusive and accessible across linguistic and cultural diversity.

The inauguration was led by Hon’ble Minister for IT, Electronics & Communications Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, alongside Shri Kabir Shirgaonkar, Dr. Ajit Parulekar (GIM), Shri Amitabh Nag (DIBD), and Smt. Kavita Bhatia (IndiaAI Mission).

Minister Rohan A. Khaunte emphasized the human-centric vision of AI, saying:

“AI is not just a buzzword, it must remain human-centric. With the Goa AI Mission 2027, we are building skills, empowering startups, creating capital support, and strengthening infrastructure to ensure innovation translates into real social impact.”

The sessions featured insights from Google Cloud, IFC World Bank Group, UNESCO, Practical Action, Sarvam AI, and AI Transformation, highlighting global perspectives on equity, generative AI, and readiness frameworks for AI adoption.

At its core, the mission envisions Goa as a model AI-led state, weaving AI into governance frameworks that balance innovation with ethics, inclusivity, and sustainability. By doing so, Goa is laying the foundation to emerge as a pioneer in responsible and impactful AI-driven governance in India.