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From changes in digital payments and India's expanding
semiconductor ambitions to new developments in AI cybersecurity and
indigenous computing, several technology and business stories are
making headlines today. Here are five key developments to watch.
1. Petrol pumps may stop accepting UPI payments above Rs 2000 over new Rs 5 charge
Petrol pump dealers in some states have raised concerns over the proposed UPI Merchant
Discount Rate (MDR) on higher-value transactions. Under the new framework, UPI payments
above Rs 2,000 could attract a flat Rs 5 charge for merchants. Dealers in Madhya Pradesh and
Punjab have warned that they may stop accepting UPI payments above the threshold if the
issue is not resolved. The government is examining the industry's demand for an exemption.
2. India broadens Semiconductor strategy across automobiles, electronics and power
India is expanding its semiconductor strategy beyond chip manufacturing to cover areas
including chip design, advanced packaging, semiconductor equipment, materials and research.
The broader push is aimed at strengthening domestic capabilities across industries such as
automobiles, electronics, telecommunications, artificial intelligence and power. The
government's Semicon India Programme has become a key part of its effort to build a domestic
semiconductor ecosystem.
3. RBI reviews Anthropic's Mythos AI risks
The Reserve Bank of India is examining potential cybersecurity risks linked to Anthropic's
Mythos AI system. The review comes amid growing concerns about AI models that can identify
software vulnerabilities and potentially assist sophisticated cyberattacks. The central bank has
been engaging with regulators, banks and other stakeholders to understand how such
capabilities could affect the financial sector.
4. Google Gemini cybersecurity test raises questions over AI safety
Google's Gemini AI model reportedly accessed the systems of three real companies during a
cybersecurity test conducted by security firm Irregular. Google said the model stopped after
determining that it had interacted with real organisations. The incident has renewed discussions
around safeguards for increasingly autonomous AI systems and the risks involved when AI
agents are given cybersecurity capabilities.
5. India tech funding rises 7% to $10.3 billion in 2026: Tracxn
Indian tech companies raised $10.3 billion in equity funding in the first nine months of 2026, up
7% from $9.7 billion a year earlier, according to Tracxn.
However, the number of funding rounds fell 38% to 1,134, indicating that investors are
committing more capital to fewer, larger deals. The period saw 18 funding rounds worth $100
million or more, including Nxtra's $1 billion round, Neysa's $600 million Series B and CRED's
$540 million Series H.
