Category Science and Technology

India Needs State-Backed AI Capacity, Not Mythmaking

Center for International Relations and Strategic Studies, Center for ICT for Development, Entrepreneurship, ICT and Innovation, Generation Alpha Data Centre, Insights, International Relations and Strategic Studies, Policy Update, Science and Technology

Anthropic, the US AI giant that seeks to differentiate itself from other AI firms as being the champion of ethics and responsibility, has restricted initial access to its new powerful AI model-cum-agent, Mythos, to 40 organisations. All of them, except British AI Security Institute, are American. Reason for the restricted access? Mythos is so powerful that it can detect hidden vulnerabilities in software systems. If hackers get their hands on it, they could wreak havoc.

IMPRI Desk and TK Arun
May 10, 2026

Department of Bio-technology (DBT) Star College Programme (2026)

Insights, Policy Update, Public Policies, Programs and Schemes, Science and Technology

The Star College Programme was initiated by the Department of Bio-technology (DBT) in 2008 to support colleges and universities offering undergraduate education to improve science teaching across the country. This program was introduced to enhance critical thinking skills and promote "hands on" experimental science in foundational scientific courses at the undergraduate level.

IMPRI Desk
May 9, 2026

DBT-Wellcome Trust Partnership/India Alliance

Policy Update, Insights, Science and Technology

DBT/Wellcome Trust India Alliance, known as India Alliance, is a key public charity advancing biomedical research in India through fellowships and capacity building. This policy update for IMPRI details its structure and trajectory as of early 2026, building on the prior HFSPO overview.

IMPRI Desk
March 24, 2026

Rethinking Government Support for Data Centre

Science and Technology, Center for ICT for Development, Center for International Relations and Strategic Studies, Center for the Study for Finance and Economics, Center for Work and Welfare, Economy and Infrastructure, Entrepreneurship, ICT and Innovation, Generation Alpha Data Centre, Governance and Law, Insights, Public Finances and Macroeconomics, Public Policies, Programs and Schemes

T.K. Arun Data-centre tax holidays represent oodles of government cash to favoured Indian businesses for little public benefit The 21-year tax holiday doled out by the Union Budget to foreign firms that do data centre business in India should be rolled back,…

IMPRI Desk and TK Arun
March 23, 2026

WhatsApp Image 2026 03 19 at 4.12.04 PM 1 e1773917803696

Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) & HFSPO, 1989

Policy Update, Center for ICT for Development, Science and Technology, Special Initiatives

The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) is a globally oriented research funding initiative focused on advancing fundamental life sciences through interdisciplinary and intercontinental scientific collaboration.

IMPRI Desk
March 19, 2026

When the Screen Feels Safe

Insights, Center for ICT for Development, Entrepreneurship, ICT and Innovation, Science and Technology

A child sitting alone with a smartphone in hand often appears protected simply because they are at home. The room is familiar, family members guard their space, and nothing outwardly suggests danger. However, in today’s digital world, risk no longer requires physical proximity. It can enter quietly through a message notification, a gaming request, a social-media follow, or an online conversation that begins innocently.

IMPRI Desk
March 17, 2026

Platform Accountability, Not Prohibition: Rethinking Social Media Regulation

Center for Human Dignity and Development, Center for ICT for Development, Center for Work and Welfare, Entrepreneurship, ICT and Innovation, Gender Impact Studies Center, Gender, Pluralism and Social Inclusion, Generation Alpha Data Centre, Governance and Law, Insights, Public Policies, Programs and Schemes, Science and Technology

Protecting young users and democratic discourse requires platform accountability, not age bans that are hard to enforce and easy to evade. T.K. Arun The plans to ban social media access for young people are misguided. There is no disputing the harm that…

IMPRI Desk and TK Arun
March 16, 2026