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Digital India marks a decade as a people-driven movement, says Nirmala Sitharaman

As Digital India turns 10, leaders including Nirmala Sitharaman, PM Modi, and others reflect on its journey from policy to public movement, powering everything from UPI to eNAM.

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Nirmala Sitharaman

Marking ten years of the Digital India initiative, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday described it as more than just a government programme, calling it a “people’s movement” that has transformed the country’s digital landscape. She stated that Digital India has played a central role in building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) and has turned India into a trusted innovation partner globally.

In a post on social media platform X, Sitharaman wrote, “From bringing internet access to remote corners of the country to making government services available online, the ‘Digital India’ initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government has truly bridged the digital divide across the nation.” She also highlighted that India’s UPI-based payment system alone is responsible for nearly half of all real-time digital transactions globally, emphasizing its global significance.

UPI, DBT, eNAM and more: Tools of a digital transformation

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal praised the digital strides India has taken under various schemes such as UPI (Unified Payments Interface), DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer), GeM (Government e-Marketplace), ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce), and SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas). He said these efforts are helping India shift from digital governance to digital leadership on the world stage.

Goyal quoted Prime Minister Modi’s remarks: “When the intent is right, innovation empowers the less empowered.” This reflects the government’s approach in using technology to serve citizens more effectively and inclusively.

PM Modi recalls journey from skepticism to confidence

In a LinkedIn post, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reflected on how the launch of Digital India a decade ago was a bold step taken with confidence in the people’s ability to adopt and adapt to technology. “While decades were spent doubting the ability of Indians to use technology, we changed this approach and trusted the ability of Indians,” the Prime Minister wrote.

He also addressed innovators and entrepreneurs, stating that the world now looks towards India for the next digital breakthrough, underscoring the country’s rising stature in the global tech ecosystem.

Digital impact on agriculture through eNAM

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi shed light on the sectoral transformation driven by Digital India, particularly in agriculture. He highlighted that through eNAM (National Agriculture Market), farmers are now directly connected to buyers across the country. With over ₹4 lakh crore worth of trade and more than 1.7 crore farmers empowered across 1,400+ mandis, he called it a “bold leap” enabled by the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

As Digital India completes a decade, the initiative stands as a testament to how inclusive digital policies and platforms can drive widespread societal change, innovation, and economic empowerment.

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Security tightened across Delhi metro stations after bomb threat emails

Delhi is on high alert after bomb threat emails targeted metro stations, the Red Fort and the Assembly. Authorities confirmed the threats were hoaxes but tightened security as a precaution.

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Delhi Metro

Security has been intensified across all metro stations and major installations in the national capital after a series of bomb threat emails were received on Monday. Authorities later confirmed that the threats were hoaxes following detailed inspections by security agencies.

According to officials, several key institutions — including the Delhi Secretariat, Delhi Assembly, the Red Fort and two schools — received threatening emails earlier in the day. Extensive searches were carried out at all the locations mentioned in the messages, but nothing suspicious was found.

A senior police officer said cyber teams are working to trace the origin of the emails. Preliminary findings suggest that the senders may have used Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in an attempt to conceal their identities and mislead investigators. Officials expressed confidence that those responsible would be identified.

Metro stations under heightened surveillance

Following specific references to metro services in the emails, security arrangements were strengthened across the entire network of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Additional personnel have been deployed at stations, and anti-sabotage checks are being conducted.

Police said random frisking of passengers and intensified CCTV surveillance are being carried out as part of precautionary measures. Bomb disposal squads and dog squads were stationed at sensitive sites, including the Red Fort, Delhi Secretariat and the Assembly complex.

The threatening emails reportedly included the slogan “Delhi banega Khalistan” and warned of explosions at an Army school, the Assembly and the Red Fort at specific times during the day. Officials stated that all mentioned locations were thoroughly checked and declared safe.

Authorities also coordinated with counterparts in neighbouring states to enhance security at metro stations falling under their jurisdictions.

While no explosives were found, officials said the tightened security arrangements will remain in place as a precaution. Cyber teams continue efforts to trace the IP addresses and identify those behind the threat emails.

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JNU protest turns violent as Left and Right student groups trade charges

A late-night protest at JNU turned violent as Left and ABVP student groups accused each other of stone-throwing and attacks near the East Gate.

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JNU Protest

Tension gripped the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University in the early hours of Monday after a protest march allegedly spiralled into violence, with rival student groups accusing each other of triggering the unrest.

Students claimed that the incident occurred around 1.30 am when a confrontation broke out during a march called by the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union. The protest, named “Samta Juloos”, was headed towards the East Gate and was organised to demand the resignation of Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit and the withdrawal of a rustication order.

According to protesters, several students were injured after alleged stone-throwing during the clash. They alleged that the university administration did not intervene during the march and instead permitted members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad to confront demonstrators.

However, the ABVP denied the allegations and countered that Left-affiliated organisations instigated the confrontation and were spreading misinformation about the events.

Left-backed groups, including the All India Students’ Association, claimed that ABVP activists targeted the JNUSU encampment and hurled stones at “unarmed students”, leading to multiple injuries.

Videos shared by students on social media reportedly showed chaotic scenes near the protest site, with members of rival groups engaged in heated exchanges and physical scuffles.

University authorities did not immediately respond to queries regarding the incident. Students said the situation on campus remained tense following the overnight clashes.

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World praised India’s AI potential at AI Impact Summit, says PM Modi

PM Modi said the world praised India’s AI potential at the AI Impact Summit 2026, where 89 countries endorsed the New Delhi Declaration on artificial intelligence.

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pm modi speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the world wholeheartedly praised India’s potential during the recently concluded AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, highlighting the growing global confidence in the country’s young technology talent.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister said the summit demonstrated how the mindset of India’s youth in the field of technology would serve humanity at large. He described the event as historic and underlined the positive global response to India’s AI capabilities.

The AI Impact Summit 2026, organised in New Delhi last week, concluded with the adoption of the New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact. The declaration has been endorsed by 89 countries and international organisations, signalling broad global agreement on promoting artificial intelligence for economic growth and social welfare.

Broad global participation

The summit saw the participation of several prominent world leaders and top technology executives. Among those present were UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Swiss President Guy Parmelin.

Other leaders attending the summit included Sri Lanka President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay, Mauritius Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Croatia Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Serbia President Aleksandar Vucic, Seychelles Vice President Sebastien Pillay, Estonia President Alar Karis, and Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

Chief executives and senior leaders from major global technology firms were also part of the gathering.

Focus on inclusive AI growth

Held under the theme ‘Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay’ (welfare for all, happiness of all), the summit aimed to position India as a global leader in artificial intelligence while ensuring that AI development remains inclusive and sustainable.

The event brought together more than 500 international AI leaders. This included around 100 CEOs and founders, 150 academicians and researchers, and 400 CTOs, vice presidents and philanthropists. Additionally, over 100 government representatives and nearly 60 ministers and vice ministers participated in discussions.

The New Delhi Declaration seeks to strengthen international cooperation and ensure that AI technologies contribute to economic progress, social good and environmental protection.

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