Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the fifth edition of SEMICON India 2026 on September 17 in New Delhi as India works to accelerate the growth of its domestic semiconductor ecosystem, an official statement said on Tuesday.

The three-day conference and exhibition, themed “Silicon to Systems: Building the Ecosystem,” will run from September 17 to September 19.

The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), and global industry association SEMI will jointly organise the event.

The conference will bring together policymakers, global semiconductor companies, industry executives, researchers, academics, start-ups and students to discuss developments across the semiconductor and electronics value chain.

The Centre has also recently approved Semicon 2.0 to strengthen India’s semiconductor manufacturing and supply-chain capabilities.

The government is supporting semiconductor research, innovation and design by providing more than 332 academic institutions and 105 start-ups with access to advanced design tools. It has also approved 24 start-ups under the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme.

Meanwhile, India has accelerated its semiconductor ambitions through the Semicon India Programme. According to the ministry, the government has approved 12 projects under Semicon 1.0 to help establish a domestic semiconductor ecosystem.

S. Krishnan, Secretary at MeitY, said the 2026 edition comes at an important stage in India’s semiconductor journey. He noted that three of the 12 projects approved under Semicon 1.0 have already started commercial production.

“The announcement of Semicon 2.0 with six major pillars further strengthens India’s commitment to build a robust and resilient semiconductor ecosystem,” he said.

Ajit Manocha, President and Chief Executive Officer of SEMI, said India can expand its role in the global semiconductor industry by leveraging its talent pool, policy support and long-term vision.

Ashok Chandak, President of SEMI India and IESA, said the event demonstrates India’s efforts to develop a comprehensive semiconductor value chain. He added that SEMICON India has become an important platform for collaboration among industry leaders, policymakers, investors and researchers.

The exhibition will feature more than 500 exhibitors, including over 240 international companies, while delegations from more than 40 countries are expected to participate.

The event will also feature six country pavilions, 10 state government pavilions, a start-up pavilion, an innovation showcase, a start-up pitch competition, a student hackathon and a workforce development pavilion.

OpenAI on Tuesday introduced ChatGPT for Teens, a new experience specifically designed for users aged 13 to 17.

The company combines learning tools with stronger built-in safety protections to help teenagers learn, think critically, deepen their understanding, and use artificial intelligence more responsibly.

ChatGPT automatically places teen users in the teen experience when it identifies them as under 18 or when they state that they are between 13 and 17.

The experience activates enhanced safeguards by default for areas involving self-harm, violence, eating disorders, dangerous activities, and sexually explicit or graphic content.

The new experience also adds several learning-focused features to ChatGPT. Its Study Mode uses guiding questions and step-by-step assistance to encourage teenagers to solve problems and understand concepts rather than simply receive direct answers.

OpenAI has also introduced Responsible Homework Reminders to steer students away from shortcuts and encourage collaborative problem-solving. Quizzes and Learning Visualizations give teenagers additional ways to practise concepts and strengthen their understanding.

The Study Hours feature lets teenagers or their parents designate specific periods when ChatGPT will enable Study Mode by default. OpenAI has also added more frequent reminders that encourage teenagers to take breaks during extended sessions.

Parents who link their accounts to a teen’s ChatGPT account can use Parental Controls to manage selected settings and establish Quiet Hours. In certain high-risk situations, parents may also receive safety notifications.

OpenAI said these features give parents greater control over how teenagers use ChatGPT while allowing young users to access the service for learning and other age-appropriate activities.

Alongside ChatGPT for Teens, OpenAI has launched the “Parents’ Guide to Learning with ChatGPT.” The resource helps parents understand the teen experience, configure parental controls, support learning, and encourage healthy AI habits at home.

The number of taxpayers reporting annual income of Rs 100 crore or more rose 39 per cent to 576 in assessment year 2026 (AY26), up from 415 a year earlier, according to a report by SBI Research.

SBI Research also found that the number of taxpayers reporting income of Rs 1 crore or more increased 14 per cent to 5,35,672 in AY26 from 4,71,419 in AY25.

The sharp rise among the country’s highest-income taxpayers contrasts with the more moderate growth across the broader high-income taxpayer base.

The Rs 100 crore-or-more category has also shown significant fluctuations in recent years. The number stood at 142 in AY22 before more than doubling to 301 in AY23, marking a 112 per cent increase.

The figure then fell 6 per cent to 284 in AY24 before climbing 46 per cent to 415 in AY25. It rose another 39 per cent to 576 in AY26.

Meanwhile, the Rs 1 crore-or-more taxpayer base has expanded steadily since AY22, when the figure stood at 1,93,800.

The number climbed 39 per cent to 2,69,184 in AY23, 30 per cent to 3,49,974 in AY24 and 35 per cent to 4,71,419 in AY25. It then increased 14 per cent to 5,35,672 in AY26.

The Rs 1 crore-or-more taxpayer population has more than doubled since AY22, while the Rs 100 crore-or-more category has quadrupled during the same period.

SBI Research has also projected 8 per cent GDP growth for Q1 FY27. The report expects credit growth to reach 19.3 per cent and foreign exchange reserves to rebuild to $707 billion through the RBI’s FCNR(B) deposit scheme.

The report separately highlighted margin pressure across sectors such as healthcare, cement and entertainment during the June quarter.

These trends show that resilience among the highest-income taxpayers has not extended uniformly across corporate India.

Elon Musk has announced that social media platform X will make government requests to remove or restrict content more visible to users as part of a broader effort to increase transparency around content moderation, recommendation algorithms and official intervention in online speech.

In a post on X, Musk said, “Any censorship required by governments is now clearly visible,” signalling the platform’s intention to give users greater insight into actions that government authorities request.

Under the proposed changes, X users will see when governments seek to remove posts or request restrictions on accounts. The platform also plans to disclose details about the agencies making such requests and, where available, the legal grounds or justification they cite.

The move forms part of Musk’s wider push to increase transparency around X’s moderation and content-distribution systems.

Since acquiring X, formerly known as Twitter, Musk has repeatedly argued that users should have greater visibility into how platforms moderate and rank online content.

According to a report by Crypto Briefing, X has complied with between 83 per cent and 98.8 per cent of government takedown requests under Musk’s ownership, depending on the reporting period. The report also said that these compliance rates exceed those under the platform’s previous management.

X has also pursued greater transparency around its recommendation systems. The company has supported efforts to open-source parts of its recommendation technology, allowing researchers and users to examine how content-ranking mechanisms operate and how the platform promotes or suppresses posts.

The platform aims to give users clearer information about factors that influence content visibility, including whether X amplifies, de-amplifies or limits the reach of specific posts.

Africa’s home delivery apps face a major challenge: many cities lack reliable addressing systems, making it difficult for companies to deliver packages quickly and accurately to consumers.

A report says African startups can learn from Indian companies that tackled similar challenges by using technology, location intelligence and data-driven logistics.

“Nairobi’s estates and Lagos’s informal settlements were never built with postal codes in mind, and they are not going to get them soon,” a report stated.

The article noted that companies in other emerging markets faced similar challenges and developed practical solutions using landmarks, delivery histories and machine learning. These tools helped companies identify locations with increasing accuracy and reduced failed deliveries.

The challenge does not uniquely affect Africa. India faced similar logistics difficulties about a decade ago, with fragmented courier networks and addresses that often relied on local knowledge rather than standardised data. People frequently described locations using landmarks and directions such as a particular gate, building or road turn.

Indian startups tackled the problem by shifting their approach. Instead of treating logistics solely as a trucks-and-warehouses challenge, they focused on data, location intelligence and customer trust.

The article suggests that Kenyan and Nigerian entrepreneurs and policymakers can study this approach as they develop their own delivery ecosystems.

Rather than waiting for governments to create comprehensive addressing systems, logistics startups can develop their own location intelligence platforms. These systems can learn from successful and failed deliveries and continuously improve their ability to identify a consumer’s exact location.

The article also highlights the importance of cooperation between governments and private businesses.

“One structural choice is worth borrowing directly: treat government as an infrastructure provider, not a rival to private business,” the article observed.

Governments can make existing public data, including vehicle registration, licensing, toll and customs information, accessible through digital interfaces. Startups can then use this infrastructure to develop practical logistics and delivery solutions.

The report also urges African startups to look beyond national capitals. In several emerging markets, significant growth has come from second- and third-tier cities rather than the largest urban centres.

For African delivery platforms, expanding into these underserved markets could create new opportunities while encouraging companies to develop affordable and adaptable delivery models suited to local conditions.

India’s experience demonstrates that weak addressing infrastructure does not have to permanently restrict e-commerce and doorstep delivery.

With location intelligence, machine learning, reliable delivery data and stronger public-private collaboration, African startups can build systems that work around existing infrastructure gaps and bring faster deliveries to more consumers.

Cristiano Ronaldo has given his clearest indication yet that his illustrious football career could end after the current season, with the Portugal captain saying that this is “probably my last year” in the sport.

The 41-year-old forward, whose contract with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr runs until June 2027, has previously acknowledged that retirement is approaching but had not provided a specific timeline.

“This is probably my last year of football, and I want to leave a spectacular legacy,” Ronaldo said.

Last November, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner said he expected to continue playing for “one or two years” and confirmed that the 2026 World Cup would mark his final appearance at the tournament.

Portugal exited the World Cup after a defeat to Spain in the round of 16 last month, with Ronaldo scoring three goals during the tournament.

Ronaldo has not announced a definite retirement date, but his latest comments suggest that the end of his playing career could arrive sooner than previously expected.

The Portugal captain has already started considering life beyond football. He said he looks forward to spending more time with his family, travelling and enjoying hobbies away from the sport.

“I have my future all mapped out,” Ronaldo told Vogue. “I have so many things to keep me busy that to tell you just one thing is hard.”

Ronaldo also spoke about the need to find activities that can fill the gap football will eventually leave.

“Because football could leave a big hole, you have to fill your time in various ways, not just one,” he said, adding that he wants to travel more, watch and play padel and enjoy the rewards of his career.

Ronaldo has spent more than two decades at the highest level of professional football. He began his senior career at Sporting CP before moving to Manchester United, Real Madrid and Juventus. He joined Al Nassr in January 2023.

His nine-year spell at Real Madrid represented the most prolific period of his club career. Across 438 appearances for the Spanish giants, Ronaldo scored a club-record 450 goals and established himself as one of the most decorated and influential players in the club’s history.

His latest retirement comments also come shortly after Lionel Messi, his long-time rival, expressed uncertainty about how much longer he would continue playing following the death of his father, Jorge Messi.

For Ronaldo, however, the latest remarks represent his strongest indication yet that football could soon enter a new chapter without one of its most recognisable stars on the pitch.

Vishwanath and Sons, starring Suriya, is preparing for a worldwide release.

Director Venky Atluri has shared a heartfelt note. He expresses thanks to the film’s cast, crew and producers for their ongoing support throughout the project.

On Instagram, Atluri expressed gratitude to Suriya’s fans and movie lovers. He noted the team poured its hearts into the film.

“Gratitude. Indebted. For all the love and support we’ve received… truly grateful,” Atluri wrote. He added that the film offers more than 90 per cent entertainment, with laughter, emotions, warmth and family-friendly moments.

The director reflected on his journey with the film. He described it as a special experience. He thanked everyone who supported his story.

Venky Atluri Praises Suriya and Mamitha Baiju.

Atluri thanked lead actor Suriya for trusting him with the character of Sanjay Vishwanath and bringing warmth, charm and emotion to the role.

“Suriya sir… Thank you for trusting me with Sanjay Vishwanath and bringing him to life with so much warmth, charm and soul. Working with you is an experience I’ll cherish forever,” he wrote.

He also praised Mamitha Baiju, saying she brought freshness, energy and emotion to her character and made the role special.

The director extended his appreciation to other members of the cast, including Radhikaa Sarathkumar, Raveena Tandon, Nassar, Sudha, Sarvadaman, Raghubabu, Sunil Reddy, Hyper Aadhi and Charvik.

Director Appreciates Film’s Technical Team

Atluri also recognised the contributions of the film’s technical team. He praised composer GV Prakash Kumar, saying his music had become the soul of several moments and enhanced the film’s emotional impact.

The director also thanked cinematographer Nimish, praising him for capturing the emotions and world of ‘Vishwanath and Sons’ with visual beauty.

“Your frames speak for themselves,” Atluri said while appreciating the cinematographer.

He also thanked producers Vamsi and Sai Soujanya for believing in his vision from the beginning and supporting him throughout the filmmaking journey.

Concluding his message, Atluri thanked every member of the cast and crew for contributing to the film.

“And to the entire cast and crew… this journey wouldn’t have been possible without each and every one of you,” he wrote.

The director invited audiences to experience ‘Vishwanath and Sons’ with their families and loved ones as the film gets ready to reach cinemas worldwide.

India is strengthening its domestic technology ecosystem by developing capabilities across the semiconductor value chain, from chip design and fabrication to advanced packaging, equipment and materials, as artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates demand for advanced computing infrastructure.

According to an official factsheet, India has successfully fabricated seven chips across various technology nodes, including advanced 12 nm nodes. The progress highlights the country’s growing ability to develop and manufacture semiconductor technologies domestically.

The government has approved 12 semiconductor projects across six states, with investment commitments exceeding Rs 1.64 lakh crore. These projects cover silicon and compound semiconductor fabrication, display manufacturing and advanced packaging facilities.

Three facilities have already started commercial production, marking a significant shift from semiconductor policy development towards actual manufacturing capacity.

India Expands Domestic Chip Design

India is also building a strong domestic chip-design ecosystem. By April 2026, 75 institutions had taped out 211 chips, demonstrating the growing capabilities of Indian institutions and engineers in semiconductor design.

The government is now expanding these capabilities through Semicon 2.0, which received approval for a Rs 1,27,500 crore outlay in July 2026.

“Semicon 2.0 will further intend to support semiconductor IP, chip and system designs, strengthening India’s position as a global semiconductor design hub. By strengthening domestic capabilities today, India is positioning itself to shape the technologies of tomorrow,” the statement said.

Semiconductors power a wide range of modern technologies, including smartphones, automobiles, satellites, data centres and AI systems.

As AI adoption grows, demand for specialised processors, advanced chips and high-performance computing is increasing rapidly.

India Connects Semiconductor Growth With AI

Recognising the close relationship between semiconductors and AI, India is developing capabilities across chip design, fabrication, computing infrastructure and indigenous AI models.

The IndiaAI Mission, approved with an outlay of around Rs 10,372 crore, is expanding access to computing resources for researchers, startups and innovators.

By June 2026, the mission had increased shared computing capacity to more than 45,000 GPUs. By August 2026, 237 projects had accessed subsidised AI computing, accounting for 93.18 lakh GPU hours.

This shared infrastructure gives Indian researchers, startups and innovators access to affordable high-performance computing for AI model development, training, testing and research.

By developing domestic semiconductor manufacturing alongside AI computing and indigenous model capabilities, India is building a broader technology ecosystem that can reduce dependence on imported technologies while creating opportunities for homegrown innovation.

As India prepares to celebrate its 80th Independence Day, the country continues to strengthen the foundations of a self-reliant, resilient and growing economy.

The Union government is advancing Ease of Doing Business through digital single-window systems, simpler business incorporation, wider market access, better access to finance and trust-based regulation, according to an official factsheet issued on Thursday.

The National Single Window System (NSWS) now helps businesses identify and apply for approvals based on their specific requirements. The digital platform integrates approvals from 32 Union Ministries and 34 states, providing access to more than 686 Central and 7,498 state-level approvals.

Since its launch in 2021, NSWS has facilitated more than 8.29 lakh approvals, helping businesses reduce administrative hurdles and navigate regulatory requirements more efficiently.

Startup India Expands India’s Entrepreneurial Base

The Startup India initiative continues to support entrepreneurs and strengthen the country’s startup ecosystem. The programme aims to transform India into a nation of job creators rather than job seekers.

According to the factsheet, DPIIT-recognised startups increased from 502 in 2016 to more than 2.47 lakh as of August 12, highlighting the rapid expansion of India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The government has also simplified company incorporation through the SPICe+ web-based form, which integrates multiple services across three Central government Ministries and departments.

The form combines essential procedures such as name reservation, company incorporation, Director Identification Number (DIN) allotment, PAN and TAN issuance, EPFO and ESIC registration, Profession Tax registration, bank account opening and GSTIN allotment. It also enables first-time registration of shops and establishments for new companies incorporated in Delhi.

By bringing these processes together, SPICe+ reduces procedural complexity, saves time and lowers compliance costs for businesses.

Digital Corporate Services Improve Transparency

The MCA21 Project is further strengthening India’s corporate regulatory infrastructure through digital and AI-driven services. The platform provides end-to-end registry and incorporation services for companies and limited liability partnerships (LLPs).

Between 2021 and 2025, MCA21 processed 3.84 crore filings, with 3.33 crore filings approved through the Straight Through Process, according to the government factsheet.

For MSMEs, the Udyam Registration platform provides a free, paperless and self-declaration-based registration system. MSME registrations on the Udyam Portal increased from 0.1 lakh in October 2020 to more than 9.27 lakh by August 13, reflecting wider formalisation among small businesses.

States Push Business Reforms

The Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP), launched in 2015, continues to encourage states and Union Territories to simplify regulations and improve transparency.

The programme covers reforms related to single-window clearances, land, labour, inspections, taxation and environmental approvals, among other areas. These reforms aim to create a more predictable business environment and encourage enterprises to invest and expand.

Easier Credit Supports MSME Growth

The government is also expanding formal financing options through credit guarantees, digital lending and receivables financing, particularly for MSMEs.

The Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana (PMMY) provides collateral-free loans of up to Rs 20 lakh for non-corporate and non-farm income-generating activities. As of March 27, 2026, the scheme had sanctioned Rs 40.07 lakh crore through 57.79 crore loans since its inception.

The Credit Guarantee Scheme also enables micro and small enterprises to access credit without collateral security or third-party guarantees, supporting credit facilities of up to Rs 10 crore.

As of March 2026, the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) had approved cumulative credit guarantee coverage of Rs 13.67 lakh crore, benefiting 1.41 crore guarantees, the factsheet said.

Together, these reforms are helping India build a more digital, formal and accessible business ecosystem.

By reducing regulatory friction, expanding financing opportunities and supporting startups and MSMEs, the government is creating stronger conditions for enterprise-led economic growth and greater private-sector participation.

Skyroot Aerospace Co-founder and CEO Pawan Kumar Chandana on Thursday praised Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani’s startup initiative ‘Vande Bharatam’, saying the platform gives entrepreneurs from smaller cities valuable opportunities to showcase their ideas, meet investors and gain mentorship.

Chandana, who participated in the programme as a judge, told reporters that initiatives such as Vande Bharatam can strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem by giving early-stage founders greater visibility and access to industry support.

“Many entrepreneurs from smaller towns have innovative ideas but often lack access to funding and mentorship. Platforms like Vande Bharatam provide them with an opportunity to showcase their work and interact with industry leaders,” Chandana said.

The Skyroot Aerospace chief also highlighted the growing number of Indian startups developing advanced technologies domestically. He said initiatives that promote entrepreneurship can help these ventures scale and contribute further to India’s innovation-driven economy.

Chandana pointed to the growing momentum in India’s space sector, noting that several space-tech startups participated in the Vande Bharatam initiative. According to him, their participation reflects the increasing innovation emerging across the country’s space industry.

“India currently holds around 2 percent of the global space economy. If the country aims to increase that share to 10 percent, it will need a much larger base of successful space startups,” he said.

Startup founders who participated in the programme also highlighted the platform’s role in connecting emerging businesses with investors and experienced mentors.

One founder said Vande Bharatam allowed entrepreneurs to present their ideas directly to leading venture capital firms and industry experts. He added that his startup had already attracted interest from potential investors through the initiative.

Another participant, who is developing a vertical take-off and landing aircraft similar to a helicopter, said the platform gave him an opportunity to explain his concept to business leaders, including executives from the Adani Group.

Vande Bharatam has received nearly 26,000 entries from across India, creating a nationwide platform for entrepreneurs to showcase innovative ideas and connect with investors, mentors and industry leaders.