The Competition Commission of India (CCI) passed an order dated 16.04.2025 under the provisions of Section 27 of the Competition Act, 2002 (Act) imposing monetary and non-monetary sanctions on UFO Moviez India Pvt. (UFO Moviez), Scrabble Digital Ltd. and Qube Cinema Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (Qube), for contravention of provisions of Section 3(4) of the Act, resulting in tie-in arrangement, exclusive supply agreement and refusal to deal.
In this matter, the Commission determined that UFO Moviez and Qube were significant players in the relevant market for the supply of Digital Cinema Initiatives-Compliant Digital Cinema Equipment (DCI-Compliant DCE) on lease/rent to Cinema Theatre Owners (CTOs) in India. The Commission found that UFO Moviez and Qube, through imposition of restrictions on supply of content in lease agreements entered into with CTOs, created barriers for players engaged in the provision of Post-Production Processing (PPP) services as well as blocked a significant portion of CTOs having DCI-Compliant DCEs from being served by any other player. The Commission held UFO Moviez (along with its subsidiary Scrabble Digital Ltd.) and Qube in contravention of provisions of Section 3(4) of the Act.
The Commission, under the provisions of Section 27 of the Act, directed UFO Moviez and Qube to not re-enter lease agreements with the CTOs imposing restrictions on supply of content from other parties. The Commission further held that the existing lease agreements with CTOs shall stand modified such that they do not impose restrictions on supply of content from parties other than UFO Moviez (and its affiliates) and Qube. The Commission, after considering nature and gravity of the contravention along with assessment of mitigating and aggravating factors, also imposed monetary penalty on UFO Moviez (along with its subsidiary Scrabble Digital Ltd.) and Qube, amounting to Rs. 104.03 Lakh and Rs. 165.8 Lakh, respectively.
A copy of public version of the order passed in Case No.11 of 2020 is available on the CCI website at www.cci.gov.in.
As a major breakthrough in shipping transport and inland waterway transport, Vice President CSIR and Minister Dr Jitendra Singh hails India’s first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel sea vessel; describes it as a success story emanating from the joint effort of public and private sectors: The Minister calls upon the CSIR authorities to continue strengthening the industry linkages, scale up innovations for societal impact:
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of Science and Technology Reviews CSIR Activities; Lauds Breakthroughs under NMITLI Programme
Pushing forward the Atmanirbhar Bharat Vision envisaged by PM Sh Narendra Modi, Dr. Jitendra Singh Underscores the Need for Self-Reliance in Science, Technology and innovation
Posted On: 16 APR 2025 6:31PM by PIB Delhi
As a major breakthrough in shipping transport and inland waterway transport, Union Minister of Science & Technology and Vice President CSIR (Council of Scientific & Industrial Research) Dr Jitendra Singh has hailed India’s first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel sea vessel.
Describing it as a success story emanating from the joint effort of public and private sectors, the Minister disclosed that the country’s first indigenous green hydrogen fuel cell inland waterway vessel, which may later pave the the way for hydrogen fuel driven larger sea vessels or ships, was developed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd featuring a hydrogen fuel cell-based drivetrain built by KPIT, drawing upon the foundational work enabled by the CSIR.
Dr. Jitendra Singh was convening a high-level meeting today to review the ongoing initiatives and achievements of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The meeting was attended by all Heads of CSIR Directorates, the Joint Secretary and Financial Adviser, CSIR.
Director General, CSIR, Dr. N. Kalaiselvi presented a detailed overview of CSIR’s current research activities, recent technological advancements, and collaborative engagements with industry. During the discussions, the Minister emphasized the importance of aligning CSIR’s scientific pursuits with the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for a Atma Nirbhar, especially in critical technology domains where indigenous development is key.
The Minister lauded the CSIR-New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI), calling it a unique example of collaborative innovation in the public-private space. As India’s largest publicly funded, industry-oriented R&D programme, NMITLI brings together top institutions, industrial partners, and research labs to pursue high-risk technological ventures with the potential for national impact.
Dr. Jitendra Singh particularly appreciated two recent breakthroughs supported under the NMITLI programme. The first is the development and commercialization of CSIR-TECHNOS Raman Spectrometers (CTR-300 and CTR-150), achieved through a partnership between CSIR–Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (CSIR–AMPRI), Bhopal, and M/s TechnoS Instruments, Jaipur.
These high-end Raman spectrometers, approved for marketing in January 2022, represent a significant milestone in India’s scientific instrumentation capabilities. Eleven units of indigenous Raman Spectrometers have been supplied across the country to date, demonstrating growing national adoption of this indigenous technology.
The second highlighted success, Dr Jitendra Singh noted, was the development of fuel cell technology under the Industry-Originated NMITLI programme. In this initiative, KPIT collaborated with CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) Pune and CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CSIR-CECRI) to develop and demonstrate low-temperature PEM fuel cell systems. The expertise developed through this collaboration has since been translated into applications for the marine, defence, and automotive sectors. A major outcome of this effort was the launch of the country’s first indigenous green hydrogen fuel cell inland waterway vessel by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, under the Harit Nauka initiative. The vessel, developed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd., features a hydrogen fuel cell-based drivetrain built by KPIT, drawing upon the foundational work enabled by CSIR.
Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored that these achievements exemplify the role of CSIR in driving technology-led growth and contributing to India’s self-reliance in frontier areas.
The Minister called upon the CSIR authorities to continue strengthening the industry linkages, scale up innovations for societal impact and pursue bold R&D initiatives aligned with national priorities.
Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare conducts review meeting on NPS Oversight Mechanism Ministries/Departments to ensure welfare of NPS employees through National Pension System Oversight Mechanism
Posted On: 16 APR 2025 6:31PM by PIB Delhi
Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW) is committed towards the welfare of Central Government pensioners including those covered under National Pension System (NPS). In this regard, third review meeting on the status of setting up of NPS Oversight Mechanism was held under the Chairmanship of Shri V. Srinivas, Secretary (Pension) on 16.04.2025 with the Financial Advisor and the Nodal officers of 11 Ministries/Departments. Representative of M/s Protean have also attended the meeting.
In the meeting, Secretary (Pension) reviewed and emphasized upon timely credit of deduction made from the salary of Central Government employees towards their contribution to NPS, as also the applicable contribution of the Central Government, to the NPS financial architecture and redressal of grievances of Central Government employees. Further, Ministries/Departments were requested to constitute NPS oversight Mechanism and hold periodic meetings of the Committee and submit their six monthly report along with timely generation of PRAN and remittance of monthly contribution.
To ensure better monitoring, DoPPW has developed an online portal with URL https://pensionersportal.gov.in/NPS for submission of six monthly report.
The constant review of the implementation of NPS would enhance timely remittance of fund into NPS architecture and also reduce grievance of employees covered under NPS.
Top seven finalists announced for the Anti-Piracy Challenge under the Create in India Initiative of WAVES 2025 Anti-Piracy Challenge receives overwhelming response from the industry and participants
Over 1,600 registrations and 132 idea submissions from startups, technology providers, research institutions, and students across the country
Posted On: 16 APR 2025 6:21PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 16 April 2025
The finalists of the Anti-Piracy Challenge, a pioneering initiative under the Create in India Challenge Season 1 of WAVES (World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit) 2025, has been announced. WAVE Summit is being organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India on May 1-4, 2025 in Mumbai.
The Anti-Piracy Challenge, which aimed at fostering technological advancements in fingerprinting and watermarking solutions, received an overwhelming response from the industry and participants. Launched on September 12, 2024, the Challenge was conceived with a core objective— to promote Make in India technologies in the fight against digital piracy. The challenge witnessed participation with over 1,600 registrations and 132 idea submissions from startups, technology providers, research institutions, and students across the country. After a rigorous multi-stage screening and evaluation process, 15 ideas were shortlisted, and now, following in-depth assessments by an esteemed jury panel, 7 standout finalists have emerged for their breakthrough innovations in digital content security.
The top seven finalists will present their solutions before the final jury and a live audience during the World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, scheduled from 01–04 May 2025 at Jio Centre, Mumbai. The winners will be felicitated by at the Grand Finale of the Summit.
TeamName
ProposedSolution
BriefDetailsonsolution
AezowieInfotechServicesPvt.Ltd.
StealthGuard
An offline tool that embeds robust, hidden watermarks in media files, traceable even after
compression or format changes.
Atomstate
Monk DB
An AI-native vector database using fingerprinting and watermarking for real-time
content verification and piracy detection.
Nuronics
NuroTrace
A comprehensive video protection suite combining encryption, licensing certificates, access control, dynamic watermarking, and
piracy detection.
Guardiansof Originality
PirateX
An advanced DRM and anti-piracy system
designed to secure multimedia content from unauthorized access and illegal distribution.
Hummingbird
Tryambaka
A blockchain-powered solution combining
blind watermarking and cryptographic hashing for tamper-proof content protection.
CipherCore
SecureFingerprintSteganography
System (SFSS)
A system that utilizes steganography and cryptographic techniques to embed secure fingerprints into digital media, enabling robust
piracy prevention.
WhiteHatLovers
Shadow Stamp
A marker-based tracking system using invisible,
uniquely identifiable markers to monitor and trace digital content in real time.
Focused on advanced technologies such as fingerprinting, watermarking, blockchain, and steganography
Winningsolutions to receive nationalrecognition, mentorship, and industrycollaboration opportunities
In today’s fast-evolving media and entertainment landscape, protecting the security, integrity, and authenticity of digital content is more important than ever. The surge in digital media consumption has heightened the risk of piracy, unauthorized distribution, and content manipulation—posing serious challenges to content creators, distributors, and rights holders.
A Media Partners Asia report estimates that 90 million users engaged in online video piracy in India in 2024, causing potential losses of USD 1.2 billion. Without effective robust anti-piracy interventions, this could rise to 158 million users by 2029.
Rights holders and broadcasters increasingly rely on technological solutions to identify, disrupt, and enforce their IP rights. However, criminal syndicates behind major piracy sites and services are continually adapting and obfuscating their infrastructure, making piracy detection and enforcement more complex than ever before.
This competition, designed to foster technological innovation in fingerprinting and watermarking solutions, reflects the growing urgency to secure India’s digital ecosystem.
The Anti-Piracy Challenge marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards securing its digital future and encouraging indigenous innovation in critical technology domains.
The Challenge organized by CII as part of WAVES was supported by IPHouse, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and Hack2Skill, who have played a pivotal role in the evaluation process and in facilitating industry engagement throughout the challenge.
The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), a milestone event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025.
Whether you’re an industry professional, investor, creator, or innovator, the Summit offers the ultimate global platform to connect, collaborate, innovate and contribute to the M&E landscape.
WAVES is set to magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. Industries and sectors in focus include Broadcasting, Print Media, Television, Radio, Films, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Sound and Music, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Generative AI, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR).
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan felicitated four individuals from the Armed Forces for their outstanding contributions in the fields of military reconnaissance, exploration and adventure activities during the MacGregor Memorial Medal Award Ceremony held at the United Service Institution of India in New Delhi on April 16, 2025. The awardees for 2023 included Wing Commander D Panda, Indian Air Force and EA (R) Rahul Kumar Pandey, Indian Navy. For 2024, CHEAA(R) Ram Ratan Jat, Indian Navy and Sergeant Jhumar Ram Poonia, Indian Air Force were honoured with the MacGregor Memorial Medal.
Instituted on July 03, 1888, the MacGregor Memorial Medal commemorates Maj Gen Sir Charles Metcalfe MacGregor, KCB, CSI, CIE – founder of the United Service Institution of India established in 1870. Originally intended to recognise the acts of military reconnaissance and exploratory journeys, the medal’s scope was expanded in 1986, post-independence, to include military expeditions and adventure activities.
While military reconnaissance and exploration remain the foremost criteria, the medal is open to all ranks (serving and retired) of the Armed Forces, Territorial Army, Reserve Forces, Rashtriya Rifles and Assam Rifles. To date, 127 medals have been awarded, including 103 prior to independence.
Among the notable recipients are Capt FE Younghusband (1890), Maj Gen Orde Charles Wingate (1943), Maj ZC Bakshi, VrC(1949), Col Narinder Kumar for Siachen Glacier exploration (1978–81) and Cdr Dilip Donde and Lt Cdr Abhilash Tomy for their solo global circumnavigations. The honour continues to inspire and motivate the Armed Forces personnel to undertake courageous feats and uphold the tradition of valour, perseverance and discovery.
The event also featured the launch of the book Bravest of the Brave, a truly inspirational chronicle on the life and heroic journey of Naib Subedar Chunni Lal, AC, VrC, SM, by the Chief of Defence Staff. General Anil Chauhan complimented Lt Gen Satish Dua (Retd), the author and former Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) for his vivid and heartfelt portrayal of the personal turmoil of a soldier, their unwavering resolve in the face of adversity and their indomitable spirit. The book serves as a poignant tribute to a gallant soldier and a reminder of the selfless service rendered by the men and women in uniform.
The ceremony at USI highlighted the enduring legacy of the Indian Armed Forces in exploration, bravery and service to the nation, while also celebrating stories that continue to inspire future generations.
WAVEX 2025 broadens Eligibility, extends Application Deadline to April 21 Flagship media-tech startup event opens doors to older ventures and draws nationwide interest
Posted On: 16 APR 2025 5:47PM by PIB Mumbai
Mumbai, 16 April 2025
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), in collaboration with the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), has announced two major updates for WAVEX 2025, India’s premier platform for startups in the media and entertainment technology space. In a bid to foster wider participation and amplify innovation, the eligibility criteria have been expanded, and the application deadline has been extended.
Startups incorporated from 2016 onwards are now eligible to apply for WAVEX 2025. This marks a significant shift from the earlier criteria, which restricted entry to startups founded in 2020 or later. The move is expected to attract a broader pool of participants, particularly those with a track record of resilience, growth, and impact in the media-tech sector.
In response to strong interest and requests from entrepreneurs across the country, the application deadline has also been pushed to April 21, 2025. The extension gives aspiring media-tech innovators additional time to submit their proposals and secure a chance to feature on a national stage.
WAVEX 2025 Investment pitches will take place on May 2nd and May 3rd at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai during the Waves 2025 summit. A flagship segment of the World Audio-Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES), WAVEX is positioned as a high-stakes launchpad for startups working in areas such as gaming, animation, XR, metaverse, generative AI, and content technologies.
Selected startups will participate in closed room pitching sessions and gain visibility among top venture capital firms and high-profile angel investors. They will also benefit from mentorship by leading industry experts, exposure to global stakeholders, and opportunities to collaborate with prominent technology and media companies.
WAVEX 2025 is designed not merely as a showcase of emerging ideas, but as a strategic platform to accelerate how content is created, delivered, and monetized in the digital era.
The first World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES), a milestone event for the Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector, will be hosted by the Government of India in Mumbai, Maharashtra, from May 1 to 4, 2025.
Whether you’re an industry professional, investor, creator, or innovator, the Summit offers the ultimate global platform to connect, collaborate, innovate and contribute to the M&E landscape.
WAVES is set to magnify India’s creative strength, amplifying its position as a hub for content creation, intellectual property, and technological innovation. Industries and sectors in focus include Broadcasting, Print Media, Television, Radio, Films, Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, Sound and Music, Advertising, Digital Media, Social Media Platforms, Generative AI, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR).
The Ministry of Ayush conducted a session of the Rashtriya Karmayogi Jan Seva Programme at Ayush Bhawan today, aimed at enhancing the service orientation and professional skills of its employees. The programme was organised in collaboration with the Capacity Building Commission under the Mission Karmayogi framework.
Earlier on 18th of March, Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, inaugurated the first phase of the session wherein he highlighted the importance of building a workforce that is responsive and efficient. He had also encouraged participants to apply the training in their day-to-day responsibilities to improve service delivery.
The second phase of the session, led by Programme Director Dr. Subodh Kumar and facilitated by Ms. Shipra Singh, adopted an interactive format, focusing on practical learning rather than traditional lectures. Discussions, team exercises, and problem-solving activities were incorporated to help employees reflect on their roles and contributions.
The programme included four focused sessions covering themes such as self-awareness, motivation, and leadership. Case studies from ongoing initiatives in Ayurveda, Yoga, and other traditional medicine systems were shared to provide practical context.
Ministry officials actively participated in the programme, which aimed to build awareness of individual responsibilities and the broader impact of public service. The Ministry of Ayush continues its efforts to strengthen capacity and efficiency within its workforce.
Conclave on PM Vishwakarma–National SC-ST Hub organised in Baripada, Mayurbhanj, Odisha Co-chaired by Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Union Minister of MSME, and Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha.
An endeavour to promote and empower MSMEs in the State and create synergys
Posted On: 16 APR 2025 5:53PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India, organised the ‘PM Vishwakarma – National SC-ST Hub Conclave’ on 16 April, 2025, at the Convention Hall, Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University, Baripada, Mayurbhanj, Odisha.
The event commenced with the inauguration of an exhibition and brought together stakeholders, beneficiaries, and government officials to highlight key initiatives such as the PM Vishwakarma Scheme and the National SC-ST Hub.
The Conclave was co-chaired by Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Hon’ble Union Minister of MSME, and Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha. The dignitaries inaugurated the Conclave with a ribbon-cutting and lamp-lighting ceremony.
The gathering was also graced by Shri Gokulananda Mallick, Minister of State (Independent Charge), MSME, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development, Govt. of Odisha; Shri Hemant Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary, Industries & MSME Department, Govt. of Odisha; Shri Prakash Soren, Hon’ble MLA, Baripada, Govt. of Odisha; Ms. Mamata Mohanta, Hon’ble MP, Rajya Sabha, Mayurbhanj, Odisha; Shri Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Minister of State (IC)Forest, Environment & Climate Change, Labour, Labour & Employees State Insurance, Govt.of Odisha;Dr. Krushna Chandra Mahapatra, Hon’ble Minister, Housing and Urban Development, Public Enterprises, Govt. of Odisha; Shri Naba Charan Majhi, Hon’ble MP, Lok Sabha, Mayurbhanj, Odisha, and other senior officials of the Ministry.
The conclave began with the welcome address by Dr. Ishita Ganguli Tripathy, ADC, DC(MSME), followed by a welcome address and a presentation on role of Ministry’s Schemes and MSMEs growth in Odisha State by Dr. Rajneesh, AS & DC, DC(MSME). The event featured experience-sharing by beneficiaries of the PM Vishwakarma, PMEGP, and SC-ST Hub initiatives. To empower entrepreneurs, e-certificates were distributed to PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries, along with the distribution of credit cheques. Certificates were also awarded to National SC-ST Hub beneficiaries and PMEGP beneficiaries. Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, Hon’ble Minister for MSME, Government of India, spoke about the significant role the MSME sector playing in job creation and improving livelihoods. He highlighted the importance and role of the PM Vishwakarma and National SC-ST Hub schemes, along with the contributions of the Coir Board and Khadi, in empowering individuals and improving livelihoods.
“I express my sincere thanks and gratitude to Hon’ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu, whose guidance has brought me here to Odisha, her region, with the purpose of promoting MSMEs. Our Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi envisions India becoming a developed nation, and by the year 2027-28, it will become the world’s third-largest economy,” the Hon’ble Minister said.
Shri Manjhi said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave us a Ministry of a vision — and the Ministry of MSME is truly a ministry of vision. I am 200% sure of this. I feel extremely grateful to be working for the MSME sector. This Ministry is the greatest department, and every entrepreneur aspires to grow through it.” “Odisha is doing very well and the MSME sector in the state is progressing impressively. Because of MSME initiatives, today every enterprise is registered on the Udyam Registration Portal. The MSME sector in Odisha will continue to grow through our Ministry’s efforts, contributing to Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a developed India,” he further added. Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, highlighted the achievements of the PM Vishwakarma and National SC-ST Hub schemes, and how the people of the state has benefited from the support of the Ministry and its initiatives.
“PM Vishwakarma is playing a key role in the life of middle class. The Ministry of MSME has given a special focus to Odisha and organised the PM Vishwakarma- National SC-ST Hub Conclave here,” the Hon’ble Chief Minister said. Launched on September 17, 2023, the PM Vishwakarma Scheme supports traditional artisans and craftspeople with skill development, financial aid, and toolkits. Meanwhile, the National SC-ST Hub, launched in October 2016, empowers SC/ST entrepreneurs through capacity building, market linkages, and access to technology and credit.
The MSME sector, comprising over 6.25 crore enterprises and employing 26.7 crore individuals, plays a crucial role in India’s economic development, contributing nearly 30% to GDP and over 45% to exports.
The Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today hailed the inauguration of Amravati airport as great news for Maharashtra, especially Vidarbha region, remarking that an active airport in Amravati will boost commerce and connectivity.
Responding to a post by Union Civil Aviation Minister, Shri Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu on X, Shri Modi said:
“Great news for Maharashtra, especially Vidarbha region. An active airport in Amravati will boost commerce and connectivity.”
Great news for Maharashtra, especially Vidarbha region. An active airport in Amravati will boost commerce and connectivity. https://t.co/WAq9PzCTZW