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National Council of Science Museums 

• The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) recently received two prestigious PRSI National Awards 2025 from the Public Relations Society of India (PRSI).

About National Council of Science Museums (NCSM):

• It is an autonomous society under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

• NCSM, with its headquarters in Kolkata, has its own network of science museums/centres spread across the country and a Central Research & Training Laboratory (CRTL) in Kolkata.

• CRTL is the Council’s central hub for professional training, research, and development.

National-Level Centres of NCSM:

• Science City, Kolkata

• Birla Industrial and Technological Museum (BITM), Kolkata

• Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai

• Visvesvaraya Industrial and Technological Museum (VITM), Bangalore

• National Science Centre, Delhi

• National Science Centre, Guwahati

• Except for Science City, Kolkata, all have regional and sub-regional/district science centres called Satellite Units (SUs).

• In addition, NCSM develops Science Centres/museums for different States and Union Territories.

• NCSM has also developed several centres and galleries for different Government organisations such as ONGC, BEL, ICAR, etc.

• It has also collaborated internationally for the development of Museum/Science Centres or for galleries such as the Rajiv Gandhi Science Centre, Mauritius; ‘India’ gallery on Buddhism at the ‘International Buddhist Museum’, Kandy, Sri Lanka;

• It also strives to communicate science to empower people through its Mobile Science Exhibitions, Lectures and Demonstrations, Training and Workshops, Publications, etc.

• Today, NCSM forms the largest network of science centres and museums in the world under a single administrative umbrella.

BharatNet Project

• The Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development, in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha recently, said that BharatNet is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs).

About BharatNet Project:

• It is an ambitious project of the Government of India aimed at providing broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) in the country.

• It is one of the biggest rural telecom projects in the world.

• The primary objective is to provide unrestricted access to broadband connectivity to all the telecom service providers.

• This enables access providers like mobile operators, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Cable TV operators, and content providers to launch various services such as e-health, e-education, and e-governance in rural and remote India.

• The project is being executed by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), namely Bharat Broadband Network Limited (BBNL), which was incorporated in 2012 under Indian Companies Act 1956.

• The Telecom Commission approved implementation of the project in three phases. While the Phase I was completed in 2017, Phase II and Phase III are ongoing.

What is the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP)?

• The ABP is a design improvement aiming for:

• Optical Fibre (OF) connectivity to 2.64 lakh GPs in ring topology (a network design where connected devices form a circular data channel)

• OF connectivity to the remaining non-GP villages on demand.

Param Vir Chakra

• Portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees are now on display at Rashtrapati Bhavan, replacing the previously displayed portraits of 96 British Aide-de-Camps (ADCs).

About Param Vir Chakra:

• It is India’s highest military decoration, awarded for displaying the most exceptional acts of valour, courage, and self-sacrifice during war.

• It was introduced on January 26, 1950, on the first Republic Day with retrospective effect from 15 August 1947.

• Literally, Param Vir Chakra means ‘Wheel (or Cross) of the Ultimate Brave’.

• It can be awarded to officers, men, and women of all ranks of the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force; of any of the Reserve Forces, of the Territorial Army Militia; and of any other lawfully constituted Armed Forces.

• It can be, and often has been, awarded posthumously.

• It is similar to the British Victoria Cross, the US Medal of Honor, the French Legion of Honor, or the Russian Cross of St. George.

• Design:

• The medal was designed by Mrs. Savitri Khanolkar.

• The medal is cast in bronze and circular in shape.

• In the centre, on a raised circle, is the state emblem, surrounded by four replicas of Indra’s Vajra, flanked by the sword of Shivaji.

• On its reverse, it has embossed Param Vir Chakra both in Hindi and English with lotus flowers.

• First winner: Major Somanth Sharma, from the Kumaon regiment.

• Till now, only 21 people had been given the Param Vir Chakra award, of which 14 are posthumous.

What are Gallantry Awards?

• They have been instituted by the Government of India to honour the acts of bravery and sacrifice of the officers/personnel of the Armed Forces, other lawfully constituted forces, and civilians.

• They are announced twice in a year – first on the occasion of the Republic Day and then on the occasion of the Independence Day.

• All the gallantry awards may be awarded posthumously.

India’s Gallantry Awards in the Order of Precedence:

• Param Vir Chakra

• Ashoka Chakra

• Mahavir Chakra

• Kirti Chakra

• Vir Chakra

• Shaurya Chakra.

• The President awards the gallantry awards to the awardees or their next of kin at the Defence Investiture Ceremony held every year at the Rashtrapati Bhawan.

• However, the Param Vir Chakra and the Ashoka Chakra are conferred by the President to the awardees on the occasion of the Republic Day Parade at the Rajpath.

Carbon-based Filter for PFAS Removal from Groundwater

• A recent field-based study demonstrates that a specially engineered carbon material can be injected underground to trap and remove PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances) from contaminated groundwater, offering a cost-effective, long-term remediation solution for polluted sites.

What are Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)?

• Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a large family of synthetic chemicals, widely known as “Forever Chemicals” due to their extreme environmental persistence.

• PFAS are extensively used in non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, food packaging, cosmetics, firefighting foams, metal coatings, and industrial lubricants.

• The carbon–fluorine (C–F) bond, one of the strongest covalent bonds in chemistry, makes PFAS highly resistant to degradation, leading to widespread groundwater contamination, especially near military, industrial, and municipal sites.

What is Carbon-Based PFAS Remediation?

• Carbon-based PFAS remediation is a novel in-situ groundwater treatment approach, the field study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials.

• The study evaluated a specially engineered ultra-fine carbon material, known as Colloidal Carbon Product (CCP), designed to adsorb and immobilise PFAS in groundwater.

• The technology uses a “push–pull” testing method, where CCP is injected underground to form an in-situ permeable treatment zone, and groundwater is later extracted to measure PFAS reduction.

• Unlike surface treatment methods, this approach is non-invasive, subsurface-based, and suitable for long-term remediation.#5

Annatto

• As informed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the CSIR–Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR–CFTRI), Mysuru had undertaken four Grant-in-Aid projects related to the study and development of annatto.

About Annatto:

• It is a natural food colouring and flavoring agent obtained from the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana), native to the tropical regions of the Americas.

• About 70% of natural food colors come from annatto.

• It adds a yellow-orange color to foods like cheese, butter, yogurt, sausage, smoked fish, ice cream, and baked goods.

• The bold color comes from carotenoids, which are plant pigments that are found in the coating of the seed.

• It is most often ground up into a powder or paste form for use.

• Its color can also be extracted from the seed and then added to foods as a dye.

• Some also use annatto to boost the flavor of certain dishes.

• It has a mild, peppery flavor when used in large amounts as well as a nutty and floral scent.

• It is safe for most people when used in normal food amounts. However, it might cause allergic reactions in some sensitive people.

Benefits:

• It has been linked to various benefits, including reduced inflammation, improved eye and heart health, and anticancer properties.

• It is rich in several key antimicrobial compounds, which can limit the growth of bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

• It is rich in antioxidants, or compounds that help neutralize the effects of harmful free radicals that can build up and cause damage to cells.

• It is high in tocotrienol, a form of vitamin E that some studies show could help with keeping bones strong and healthy.

• Annatto seeds are sometimes also ground up and applied topically to help enhance the health of your skin.

Altermagnetism in RuO₂

• Recently, the Japanese researchers have experimentally confirmed ruthenium dioxide as an altermagnet, a third fundamental magnetic class distinct from ferromagnets and antiferromagnets.

About Altermagnetism and RuO₂ Discovery

• Altermagnetism is recognised as the third fundamental class of magnetism, distinct from ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism.

• In altermagnetic materials, magnetic moments alternate, but their arrangement follows complex symmetry operations such as rotation and reflection, rather than simple up–down cancellation.

• This leads to a net-zero external magnetic field, similar to antiferromagnets, but with internal electronic spin splitting comparable to ferromagnets.

• Ruthenium dioxide (RuO₂) thin films have been experimentally demonstrated to exhibit true altermagnetism, resolving long-standing global inconsistencies.

• The discovery was made by a joint research team from National Institute for Materials Science (Japan), University of Tokyo, Kyoto Institute of Technology, and Tohoku University, and published in Nature Communications.

• The team fabricated single-orientation (single-variant) RuO₂ thin films on sapphire substrates, ensuring uniform crystallographic orientation, which was crucial for conclusive verification.

• Using X-ray Magnetic Linear Dichroism (XMLD), researchers confirmed spin arrangements where net magnetisation cancels (no N–S poles).

• The study also observed spin-split magnetoresistance, electrically verifying the spin-splitting electronic structure, a key signature of altermagnetism.

• The experimental results were found to be consistent with first-principles calculations of magneto-crystalline anisotropy, strengthening theoretical validation.

Exercise Desert Cyclone II

• The Ministry of Defence informed that an Indian Army contingent has departed for the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) to participate in the second edition of the Joint Military Exercise Desert Cyclone II, scheduled to be conducted at Abu Dhabi from 18–30 December 2025.

About Exercise Desert Cyclone II

• Desert Cyclone II is the second edition of the India–U.A.E. Joint Military Exercise, following the inaugural edition held in 2024.

• The Indian contingent comprises personnel primarily drawn from a Mechanised Infantry Regiment battalion of the Indian Army.

• The A.E. Land Forces are represented by a contingent of similar strength from the Mechanised Infantry Battalion.

• The core objective of the exercise is to enhance interoperability and strengthen defence cooperation between the Indian Army and the U.A.E. Land Forces.

• The exercise focuses on sub-conventional operations in urban environments under a United Nations mandate, preparing forces for peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, and stability operations.

• Joint training includes fighting in built-up areas, heliborne operations, and detailed joint mission planning.

• A key feature is the integration of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and counter-UAS techniques for conducting urban military operations.

• The conduct of Desert Cyclone II reflects deepening military diplomacy, shared strategic interests, and growing operational synergy between India and the U.A.E.

Key Facts about India–U.A.E. Defence Relations

• India and the U.A.E. established diplomatic relations in 1972.

• The A.E. opened its Embassy in New Delhi in 1972, while India opened its Embassy in Abu Dhabi in 1973.

• The first-ever India–U.A.E. Joint Air Forces exercise was conducted in 2008 at the Al-Dhafra Air Base, Abu Dhabi.

• India has been a regular participant in the biennial International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) held in Abu Dhabi.

• In 2025, Indian Navy ships INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand participated in the bilateral naval exercise “Zayed Talwar”, aimed at enhancing naval interoperability and synergy.

Exercise Garuda Shakti

• Recently, the 10th edition of the Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI has commenced at the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.

About Exercise Garuda Shakti:

• It is the joint Special Forces exercise conducted between India and Indonesia.

• The Indian contingent is represented by troops from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces).

• Aim: The exercise aims to strengthen mutual understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the Special Forces of the two nations.

• Focus: Its scope includes troop-level tactics, techniques and procedures in a counter-terrorism environment, covering unarmed combat techniques, combat shooting, sniping, heliborne operations and planning for drone, counter-UAS and loiter-munition strikes in semi-mountainous terrain.

Objectives:

• It features the exchange of expertise and information on weapons, equipment and operational practices.

• Validate joint training through a simulated real-world operational scenario.

• Test the endurance, coordination and combat readiness of both contingents.

• Significance: It helps in advancing defence cooperation and further strengthening bilateral relations between the two friendly nations.

INTERPOL Red Notice

• Recently, the Madhya Pradesh State Tiger Strike Force in a coordinated operation with the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau has successfully apprehended an international wildlife offender wanted under an INTERPOL Red Notice (RN).

About INTERPOL Red Notice:

• A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

• It is based on an arrest warrant or court order issued by the judicial authorities in the requesting country.

• Red Notices are issued for fugitives wanted either for prosecution or to serve a sentence in relation to serious ordinary law crimes such as murder, rape and fraud. 

• Member countries apply their own laws in deciding whether to arrest a person.

• Purpose: International alert for a wanted person, but it is not an arrest warrant.

It contains two main types of information:

• Information to identify the wanted person, such as their name, date of birth, nationality, hair and eye colour, photographs and fingerprints if available.

• Information related to the crime they are wanted for, which can typically be murder, rape, child abuse or armed robbery.

• Issuance: Red Notices are published by INTERPOL at the request of a member country, and must comply with INTERPOL’s Constitution and Rules.

• Interpol cannot compel the law enforcements authorities in any of the countries to arrest someone who has a RN issued.

• The Central Bureau of Investigation is India’s National Central Bureau (NCB) for INTERPOL, handling Red Notices for all crimes, including wildlife offenses.

Exercise Harimau Shakti

• Recently, the Fifth edition of “Exercise Harimau Shakti -2025” commenced in Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan.

About Exercise Harimau Shakti:

• It is a joint military exercise conducted between India and Malaysia.

• The Indian contingent is being represented mainly by troops from the DOGRA Regiment.

• The aim of the exercise is to jointly rehearse conduct of Sub Conventional Operations under Chapter VII of United Nations Mandate.

• Both sides will practice tactical actions such as cordon, search and destroy missions, heliborne operations, etc.

Key Facts about Exercise Harimau Shakti – 2025:

• In this exercise both sides will rehearse drills to secure helipads and undertake casualty evacuation during counter-terrorist operations.

• Both sides will exchange views and practices of joint drills on a wide spectrum of combat skills that will facilitate the participants to mutually learn from each other.

• Sharing of best practices will further enhance the level of defence cooperation between Indian Army and Royal Malaysian Army.

• Significance: The exercise will also foster strong bilateral relations between the two nations.

Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme

• Stating that Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme has steadily expanded its reach, the Minister of State for Food Processing Industries recently said that major components of the scheme have made notable progress as of 31 October 2025.

About Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme:

• Launched on June 29, 2020, PMFMPE is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

• It is designed to address the challenges faced by micro-enterprises and to tap the potential of groups and cooperatives to support the upgradation and formalization of these enterprises.

• Objectives: To build the capability of microenterprises to enable:

• Increased access to credit by existing micro food processing entrepreneurs, FPOs, self-help groups, and co-operatives.

• Integration with an organized supply chain by strengthening branding & marketing.

• Support for the transition of existing 200,000 enterprises into a formal framework.

• Increased access to common services like common processing facilities, laboratories, storage, packaging, marketing, and incubation services.

• Strengthening of institutions, research, and training in the food processing sector; and

• Increased access for enterprises to professional and technical support.

Outlay:

• The scheme envisages an outlay of ₹ 10,000 crores over a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25.

• The expenditure under the scheme would be shared in a 60:40 ratio between Central and State Governments, in a 90:10 ratio with the Northeastern and the Himalayan States, a 60:40 ratio with UTs with the legislature, and 100% by the Center for other UTs.

Coverage:

• Under the scheme, 2,00,000 micro food processing units will be directly assisted with credit-linked subsidies.

• Adequate, supportive common infrastructure and institutional architecture will be supported to accelerate the growth of the sector.

• Benefits: The program has four broad components addressing the needs of the sector:

• Support to individuals and groups of micro-enterprises.

• Branding and Marketing support.

• Support the strengthening of institutions.

• Setting up a robust project management framework.

Financial Support:

Support to Individual Micro Units:

• Micro enterprises will get a credit-linked subsidy at 35% of the eligible project cost with a ceiling of Rs.10 lakh.

• Beneficiary contribution will be a minimum of 10%, and balance from the loan.

• On-site skill training & Handholding for DPR and technical upgradation.

Infrastructure Investment Trust

• Recently, National Highways Authority of India received the Securities and Exchange Board of India’s (SEBI) in-principle approval for ‘Raajmarg Infra Investment Trust’ (RIIT) as an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT).

About Infrastructure Investment Trust:

• It is Collective Investment Scheme similar to a mutual fund, which enables direct investment of money from individual and institutional investors in infrastructure projects 

• These are like mutual funds in structure which can be established as a trust and registered with Sebi.

• Objective: To provide retail investors with access to investment opportunities in infrastructure projects, which were previously only available to large institutional investors. 

Features of the INVITs:

• An InvIT has 4 parties namely; Trustee, Sponsor(s) and Investment Manager and Project Manager.

• INVITs are created by sponsors, who are typically infrastructure companies or private equity firms.

• The sponsor sets up the INVITs and transfers ownership of the underlying infrastructure assets to the trust.

• The trust then issues units to investors, which represent an ownership stake in the trust and thus the underlying assets.

• While the trustee (certified by Sebi) has the responsibility of inspecting the performance of an InvIT, sponsor(s) are promoters of the company that set up the InvIT.

InvITs are regulated by the SEBI (Infrastructure Investment Trusts) Regulations, 2014.

RBI Integrated Ombudsman Scheme

• According to the RBI’s Annual Report, the complaints registered under the Reserve Bank of India’s Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS) were up by 13.55 per cent in FY25.

About RBI Integrated Ombudsman Scheme:

It was launched in 2021.

• Objective: To provide customers of Regulated Entities (REs) a speedy, cost-effective and expeditious alternate grievance redress mechanism.

• It integrated the erstwhile three Ombudsman schemes of RBI namely:

• The Banking Ombudsman Scheme, 2006, the Ombudsman Scheme for Non-Banking Financial Companies, 2018 and the Ombudsman Scheme for Digital Transactions, 2019.

• It adopted ‘One Nation One Ombudsman’ approach by making the RBI Ombudsman mechanism jurisdiction neutral.

Features of RBI Integrated Ombudsman Scheme

• It defines ‘deficiency in service’ as the ground for filing a complaint, with a specified list of exclusions.

• Covered Banks: It covers all commercial banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), RRBs, Payment System Participants, most Primary (Urban) Cooperative Banks with a deposit size of ₹50 crore and Credit Information Companies.

• A Centralised Receipt and Processing Centre has been set up at RBI, Chandigarh, for receipt and initial processing of physical and email complaints in any language.

• Under this scheme, compensation up to Rupees 20 lakh, in addition to, up to 1 lakh for the loss of the complainant’s time, expenses incurred and for harassment/mental anguish suffered by the complainant can be awarded.

Sanchar Saathi

• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has made it mandatory for all newly manufactured or imported mobile phones in India to come with the Sanchar Saathi app pre-installed.

About Sanchar Saathi:

• It is a security and awareness platform developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

• It is available both as an app and a web portal.

• Purpose: To help mobile users manage their digital identity, report suspicious activity, and safeguard their devices.

• The platform also provides educational material on telecom safety and cyber risks, making it a combined service-and-awareness system.

Features:

• ‘Chakshu’ feature: It lets users report suspicious calls, SMS and WhatsApp messages, such as fake KYC alerts, impersonation scams, or phishing links. It helps authorities spot fraud patterns.

• Report spam and unwanted commercial calls: Users can report spam calls and messages that break TRAI rules. Complaints made within seven days can lead to action against the sender.

• Report malicious links and apps: Allows reporting of phishing links, unsafe APKs, and fraudulent websites.

• Checking mobile connections linked to your identity: Shows how many mobile numbers are registered using your identity. Helps identify SIM cards taken without your knowledge.

• Blocking lost or stolen phones: Allows users to block the IMEI of a lost or stolen device so it can’t be used. Phones can be unblocked if recovered.

• Verifying the authenticity of a device: Allows users to check if a phone is genuine by validating its IMEI. It is useful when buying second-hand phones.

• Reporting international calls that appear as Indian numbers: Some scammers use illegal telecom setups to make international calls appear as regular +91 calls. Sanchar Saathi enables users to report such cases.

• Finding your local Internet Service Provider: The app also includes a feature that lets users check which wired internet service providers are available in their area by entering a PIN code, address, or provider name.

• Verifying trusted contacts and helpline numbers: Provides a directory to confirm genuine customer-care numbers, emails, and websites of banks and other major institutions.

Trade Enablement and Marketing Scheme

• Recently, the Minister of State for Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises informed the Rajya Sabha about the Trade Enablement and Marketing Scheme.

About Trade Enablement and Marketing Scheme:

• It is the sub scheme of the scheme ‘Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance’ (RAMP), which is a Central Sector Scheme. 

• It will empower MSMEs with digital tools and guidance to effectively utilize the e-commerce marketplace.

• Objective: To support MSMEs to help them access different markets by integrating them with e-commerce platforms.

• Eligibility Criteria: All the Udyam registered Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) under manufacturing and services sectors will be eligible for benefits under the Initiative.

It will focus on:

• connecting MSMEs with the ONDC Network.

• providing access to digital storefronts, integrated payment systems, and logistics support.

• reducing operational barriers and helps businesses tap into wider customer bases.

• emphasizing formalization of operations and establishing digital transaction histories, which will enhance the credibility and trust of participating MSMEs.

• Implementing Agency: National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC).

Doppler Weather Radar

• Recently, the Minister of State for Earth Science informed that there are currently 47 Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) across the country to survey weather patterns and forecast.

About Doppler Weather Radar:

• A Doppler radar is a specialized radar that uses the Doppler effect to produce velocity data about objects at a distance.

• These radar systems can provide information regarding the movement of targets as well as their position.

Working of Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs)

• In radars, a beam of energy, called radio waves, is emitted from an antenna.

• When this beam strikes an object in the atmosphere, the energy scatters in all directions, with some reflecting directly back to the radar.

• The larger the object deflecting the beam, the greater is the amount of energy that the radar receives in return.

• Observing the time required for the beam to be transmitted and returned to the radar allows weather forecasting departments to “see” raindrops in the atmosphere, and measure their distance from the radar.

Types of weather Radar Bands: Varying frequencies like S-band, C-band and X-band — are commonly used by the IMD in India.

Applications:

• It is used to track the movement of weather systems and cloud bands, and gauge rainfall over its coverage area of about 500 km.

• An X-band radar is used to detect thunderstorms and lightning, whereas a C-band radar helps in cyclone tracking.

Telecom Technology Development Fund Scheme

• The Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development recently said that as of 10.12.2025, 136 projects amounting to Rs 542.22 crores have been approved under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) Scheme to different IITs, NITs, MSMEs, startups, and research institutions.

About Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) Scheme:

• It is a flagship scheme of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) launched in 2022.

• It aims to fund research and development (R&D) in rural-specific communication technology applications.

• It encourages collaboration among academia, startups, research institutes, and industry stakeholders to drive innovation.

• It provides milestone-based financial assistance to eligible entities, ensuring ease of compliance and adequate funding.

• It supports the development of state-of-the-art telecom solutions in key sectors such as education, agriculture, health and water management.

• Funding under the scheme is provided through the Digital Bharat Nidhi (formerly known as the Universal Service Obligation Fund).

Eligibility Criteria for TTDF

• Domestic Companies with a focus on telecom R&D, Use case development.

• Startups/MSMEs

• Academic institutions

• R&D institutions, Section 8 companies/societies, Central & State government entities/PSUs/Autonomous Bodies/SPVs/Limited liability partnerships- with a focus on telecom R&D.

• Collaborative consortium of the above entities.

• For Pilots: The above entities may partner, inter alia, with PSUs, TSPs, Central/State Government entities, government autonomous bodies, SPVs, etc.

• For Pilot application: Minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 is required.

Some exclusions also exist:

• Domestic companies receiving grants must maintain their ‘Domestic Company’ status for at least two years after project completion.

• If a foreign investor or foreign Successor-in-Interest acquires a majority stake in the company within two years post-project, they must repay double the grant amount.

• Expenditures on items like land and buildings are not eligible under the fund.

• Preference is given to projects with minimum TTRLs, so very early-stage or theoretical research without clear application may be excluded.

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Courtesy: The Hindu