The Times of India

Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran declared Artificial Intelligence as the technology sector's iggest opportunity. He highlighted that IT's core value stems from its deep understanding of enterprise businesses and its capability to integrate technology effectively within complex operational environments.

Indian education loans are growing strongly. Asset quality is improving significantly. This resilience continues despite global uncertainties. Banks' outstanding education loans have reached Rs 1.5 lakh crore. Non-performing assets have fallen sharply. Private lenders also report robust growth and strong asset quality. Financing penetration of education spend is increasing. Students are exploring new study destinations.

India is poised to commence domestic production of rare earth permanent magnets by year-end, marking a significant stride towards self-reliance in critical minerals. After extensive research, the government, in collaboration with NFTDC, has developed indigenous technology and is transferring it to the private sector for manufacturing.

Infosys Chairman Nandan Nilekani cautioned that white-collar worker resentment could derail AI progress if not managed carefully. He emphasized developing AI use cases that benefit the broader population, support career transitions, and reskilling. Nilekani urged a focus on useful AI diffusion for humanity to avoid negative consequences.

Tata Group and OpenAI are forming a major partnership to boost India's AI capabilities. TCS will construct significant AI data center capacity. This collaboration aims to support advanced AI training and inference. OpenAI will be the first client for TCS's HyperVault business. The initiative focuses on data residency and domestic AI development.

ANMI, a prominent stock brokers' body, has cautioned the RBI against its new stricter funding rules for brokers, warning of reduced government tax revenues and diminished stock market liquidity. The association has urged Sebi to delay the implementation by six months for consultations, citing increased trading costs and reduced borrowing capacity for brokers.

Inox Neo Energies and Authum Investment & Infrastructure are acquiring Wind World's assets for an estimated Rs 1,800-1,900 crore. The deal will see Inox Neo take over the 600 MW wind power portfolio, while Inox Green Energy will manage the 4.5 GW operations and maintenance business. This strategic move significantly expands the InoxGFL Group's renewable energy footprint and O&M capabilities.

Indian stock markets experienced a significant downturn, with the Sensex plummeting over 1,200 points. Investors lost nearly Rs 7 lakh crore as global concerns, including US Fed rate cut uncertainty and escalating geopolitical tensions, triggered widespread selling. Major sectors like real estate, power, and auto bore the brunt of the sell-off.

Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani announced a $110 billion investment over seven years to build India's sovereign AI infrastructure, including data centers and a nationwide edge compute network. This initiative aims to connect India to the intelligence era, reduce compute costs, and establish the nation as a global AI power.

Prime Minister Modi advocated for democratizing AI, emphasizing its role in global good and inclusion, particularly for the Global South. He urged for open sharing of AI codes, likening sunlight to a disinfectant for safety. Modi stressed a human-centric approach, cautioning against reducing individuals to data points and promoting India's MANAV framework for responsible AI development.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh urged global cooperation to tackle evolving maritime risks at the opening of India's largest naval exercise, MILAN-2026. He highlighted the growing participation from 74 nations, emphasizing that no single navy can address challenges like surging commerce, resource competition, and climate change alone. Singh also invited ASEAN countries to leverage India's growing defence-industrial capabilities.

Manipur's Chief Minister virtually addressed displaced Meitei and Kuki-Zo families, offering cash relief and urging trust rebuilding. This marks the first joint outreach since ethnic violence erupted. While resettlement efforts are underway, mistrust persists, with displaced individuals sharing concerns about jobs, education, and healthcare access. The CM pledged support for students and security for patients.

Two widely used medications, doxycycline and carbimazole, are set to receive stronger safety warnings. Regulators have identified potential mental health side effects for doxycycline and a rare but serious blood disorder linked to carbimazole. This proactive step aims to enhance patient safety by ensuring clearer information for both doctors and patients regarding these important, albeit uncommon, adverse reactions.

Bill Gates has withdrawn from his scheduled keynote at the AI Impact Summit 2026, with the Gates Foundation citing a desire to keep focus on the summit's priorities. The decision follows renewed scrutiny of Gates' past association with Jeffrey Epstein, which had led to questions in India about his attendance. Ankur Vora will deliver the keynote in his stead.

At the AI Impact Summit, a moment of tension arose when AI rivals Sam Altman of OpenAI and Dario Amodei of Anthropic stood with arms crossed during a group photo, eschewing hand-holding. This visual cue highlighted their intensifying competition and recent public disagreements over advertising strategies.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei voiced concerns over autonomous weapons and mass surveillance, emphasizing AI's compatibility with democracy. He also highlighted India's potential for significant economic growth, projecting 20-25% driven by AI productivity gains, and noted Anthropic's efforts to enhance its models for Indic languages.

India championed AI for multilingualism and societal benefit, securing tech giants' adoption of the 'New Delhi Frontier AI Impact Commitments'. This voluntary framework aims to extend AI's advantages to developing nations and the Global South, emphasizing real-world applications and inclusive, culturally sensitive development.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman highlighted India's pivotal role in AI, revealing over 100 million weekly ChatGPT users, with a third being students. He emphasized India's potential to lead AI development and deployment.

Strict enforcement, not just awareness, is crucial for curbing road accidents and rule violations, stated Union road transport secretary V Umashankar. He highlighted that certainty of enforcement, coupled with organized district-level action and strong institutions, will foster compliance and accountability.

India's sea-based nuclear deterrent is set to be significantly bolstered with the upcoming commissioning of INS Aridhaman, the third indigenous Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine. This larger vessel, capable of carrying long-range K-4 missiles, will enhance India's second-strike capability and move it closer to achieving continuous at-sea deterrence.

French President Emmanuel Macron affirmed that Rafale jets will bolster India's military might and expressed commitment to increasing indigenous content in 'made-in-India Rafale' aircraft. He highlighted the expansion of defense cooperation, including potential joint production of fighter jets and helicopters, and expressed hope for further submarine tie-ups, underscoring the unique strategic partnership between the two nations.

Operations at the Baglihar hydropower project's stage 1 in Jammu and Kashmir were halted due to flooding in the machine room. While stage 1 remains suspended for scheduled maintenance, stage 2, unaffected by the flooding, will continue to generate power. This allows for stage 2 to operate during the lean period when it would typically be closed.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin advocates for a multi-faceted AI governance framework, emphasizing societal norms alongside legal and technical standards. He also discusses Switzerland's commitment to a just peace in Ukraine through the OSCE and highlights the importance of free trade agreements like TEPA in challenging global trade times.

Home Minister Amit Shah will launch Phase 2 of the Vibrant Villages Programme in Assam, a Rs 6,839 crore initiative to develop 1,954 villages along international borders. This project aims to foster inclusive development, curb outmigration, and integrate border populations with national security efforts.

In Maharashtra, Shivaji Maharaj occupies an almost sacred position across ideological lines, but particularly within the political vocabulary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Shiv Sena. The Maratha ruler is frequently invoked as a symbol of indigenous sovereignty, martial pride and cultural assertion. References to Hindavi Swarajya resonate strongly with narratives centred on civilisational identity and self-determination.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation will release a preliminary report on the Baramati Learjet crash within 30 days. The investigation is being conducted by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau. Flight recorders are being examined. The ministry assures a thorough, evidence-based probe. Special audits of aircraft operators are also underway. This follows demands for a CBI inquiry into the accident.

Israel has condemned a absolutely unacceptable attack on two Indian workers in Ashkelon, with police apprehending the perpetrators. The incident, described as racially motivated, has drawn criticism from Indian politicians who are urging the government to ensure the victims' well-being and address concerns about the safety of Indian laborers in Israel ahead of Prime Minister Modi's upcoming visit.

West Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharya clarified that the party opposes only the open sale of beef, not all non-vegetarian food. He asserted that people in Bengal are free to consume what they choose, refuting claims of a ban on fish and meat sales.