India's Advanced Manufacturing- Accel report 2025

 

Source-Accel's Advanced Manufacturing Report '25

Online Gaming - banned in India

 Press Note Details: Press Information Bureau

The law imposes a blanket ban on all online games involving monetary stakes, effectively dismantling an industry that has grown rapidly over the past decade on the back of fantasy sports, rummy, poker, and trading platforms. The bill ends the long-running debate over “games of skill” versus “games of chance,” declaring that any game involving deposits or financial rewards will be illegal. Its provisions extend to offshore platforms accessible in India, granting the government powers to pursue foreign operators.

Read more at: https://yourstory.com/2025/08/india-moves-to-outlaw-real-money-gaming-with-sweeping-ban?utm_source=piano&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=41832&pnespid=8_yalolU_fXW5rS2_0Sot.oa7xoPrSxkgg41Akts7kaVDjfEStc3AVT.dH01bJZPXEDD1bs

Advanced Frugal Innovation

 

Dr CK (Coimbatore Krishnarao)  Prahlad, Indian origin academician working in USA is a pathbreaker   with his highly influential books and concepts, including the introduction of core competencies into the management lexicon and his seminal book Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid. In 2004, CK published two books. The Future of Competition, written with Venkat Ramaswamy, introduced the notion of “cocreation”, while The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid, argued that the world’s poor (the “bottom of the pyramid”) represented an untapped market worth anything up to $13 trillion a year. He cited several innovative practices from India, used as cases in management schools. Two case studies, namely Narayana Hrudayalaya (NH) and Aravind Eye Care Systems (AECS), two low-cost specialty hospital chains in India to explain why BOP markets can be considered a source for disruptive innovations.

Navi Radjou, Indian Origin, independent scholar, an innovation and leadership advisor, author of global best seller-Juggad Innovation followed with another best seller-The Frugal Innovation. The authors traced variations of frugal innovation around the world, such as jugaad (India), jiejian chuangxin (resource-saving innovation, in China), and kanju (make do, in Africa). In sum, frugal innovation helps creativity emerge from the bottom upwards.
While both the authors have referred directly or indirectly to low unit cost products/ services from India, Prof Balakrishna Rao of IITM addressed the question can a product be made frugal and coined the term Advanced Frugal Innovation.

Balkrishna C. Rao is an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Design at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) in India. As a member of the Sustainable Manufacturing Group at IITM, he conducts research pertaining to frugality in engineering other than topics in manufacturing. He has been one of the early researchers in frugal engineering who has worked in various aspects of frugality related to poverty, sustainability and engineering. Other than working in manufacturing for automotive and aerospace sectors, his work in frugal innovations has led to the creation of a new type called Advanced Frugal Innovation (AFI) to account for the increasing sophistication seen in these products. The factor of frugality is based on executing rigorous design procedures with the best of theoretical models and accurate data to compensate for uncertainties arising from lower safety factors. AFI is an advancement of design for manufacture and assembly (DFMA) focused on reducing assembly complexity while also making components easier to manufacture by following well-established design principles. Rao uses a three-step methodology to systematically engineer an advanced frugal product from scratch. Rao’s approach uses the factor of frugality in designing an AFI by accounting for every stage of product development The factor of frugality is a composite number based on the factor of safety and the fractions of material saved in the various stages of product development.

Jaw crusher invented in 1858 is still in in use as primary crusher in very stone quarry. Can it be made frugal? Rao addressed this and got a patent.
Reference: Frugal engineering of a jaw crusher using the factor-of-frugality, a modern version of the safety-factor | PLOS One

Compendium of 71 emerging Ag-Tech start-ups

 

RICH has curated a Compendium of 71 emerging Ag-Tech start-ups, with the aim of surveying emerging technologies, understanding start-up needs, increasing visibility for start-ups, and to understand support areas required and facilitate collaborative solutions. The compendium was officially launched on the 18th of this month by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India. 

 1. Pre-production (Seeds, Fertilizers) – 31 Startups, 2. Farming/Production – 35 Startups, 3. Plant Protection – 30 Startups,  4. Harvesting/Quality Assessment(QA) – 10 Start-ups, 5. Processing/Value Addition – 8 Startups, 6. Storage & Logistics – 6 Startups, 7. Markets – 12 Startups, 8. Sustainability & Waste Management – 13 Startups,9. Financial Services – 2 Startups,  10. Allied Activities – 9 Startups,11. Food Manufacturing – 4 Startups, 12. Food Supply Chain and QSR.

Contact: Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad RICH, Cabin No. 16, T-Hub Foundation, Plot No 1/C, Sy No 83/1, Raidurgam Panmaktha, Hyderabad Knowledge City, Hyderabad, Telangana – 500081 Email: cmanager-rich@telangana.gov.in

MIT Solve 2024–2025 Annual Report

 95 Open innovation challenges received 26,000+ solutions submitted from 180 countries, addressing global issues from decarbonizing supply chains to improving rare disease care.

Read the report-info.solve.mit.edu/hubfs/MIT Solve - Annual Report 2025.pdf?\

Draft CRI Guidelines 2025- Version 2.0

 

Version 2.0 introduces detailed examination guidance on inventions related to: AI / ML / DL, Quantum Computing and Blockchain Technology.

Download draft-Draft_CRI_Guidelines_2025_v2.0.pdf

300 Indian Innovations

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Pu6LFHqQNlXR0ob6ufCKb996kawHOt-9dhUuF1gmagw/edit?usp=sharing

Draft Computer Related Inventions (CRI) Guidelines, 2025.

 On March 25, 2025, the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trade Marks (CGPDTM) released Draft Revised Computer Related Inventions (CRI) Guidelines, 2025.

 Recent developments in the field of Information
and Communication Technology (ICT) and Computer Science, such as advancements in
artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain technology, quantum computing, cloud
computing and the Internet of Things (IoT), are rapidly transforming industries and
reshaping innovation. These technologies often involve complex algorithms, data
processing techniques, and hardware-software integrations. In recent times centric to
this advancement are Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Natural Language
Processing and Large language Model which are now recognized as core technologies
that can revolutionize industries by enabling sophisticated automation, customized
user experiences, and predictive analytics. These technologies are increasingly
integrated into fields such as healthcare for early diagnostics, finance for risk
management, and education for adaptive learning, enhancing overall system
intelligence. Additionally, AI-driven natural language processing technologies are
revolutionizing human-computer interactions by enabling virtual assistants,
automated translation, and sentiment analysis tools, thus broadening accessibility and
functionality. Cloud computing has significantly catalyzed this evolution, providing
scalable and cost-effective solutions for data storage and processing, essential to
modern IT architectures. The shift to cloud-based infrastructure allows organizations
to handle extensive data volumes, facilitate collaboration, and deploys applications
rapidly, making it a fundamental component in IT frameworks. Meanwhile, edge
computing, a complementary technology to cloud computing, enables data processing
near the source, reducing latency and accelerating real-time analytics—capabilities
vital for the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart city applications. Quantum algorithms
promise to solve complex problems in mere seconds, challenges that would take
classical computing systems centuries to process. This capability could significantly
impact fields such as cryptography, climate modeling, and pharmaceutical
development. Quantum computing, regarded as a keystone technology of the future...

 Algorithm:

 “...An algorithm may be defined as a set of rules or instructions for solving a problem, typically through a sequence of steps or operations. Devising an algorithm would also, therefore, be an intellectual exercise and intellectual property protection would be limited to copyright protection, subject to originality, for the form of expression. While the expression is commonly used in the context of software-based routines in computers, as is evident from the above, it can be used in other contexts...”.

Technical effect

 Technical effect' is the bridge or the connect between an input and the
processor. If an ingenious input system/method is able to allow the processor to give
a more efficient and faster output and computation, the effect, in this Court's opinion,
would be 'technical'. A 'technical effect' cannot be just about nuts and bolts, or
hardware tweaks and transformations. If an innovative input [in form of a program]
allows the hardware to process the output faster, then it would amount to a
'technical effect'. In other words, a well-designed innovative input in the form of a
process, system, or method which enhances the computational ability of the
processor would undoubtedly result in a 'technical effect' and which goes beyond the
usual 'user interface'…”

Read-   

https://www.ipindia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/Images/pdf/Draft_CRI_Guidelines_Publication_March2025.pdf

https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=94f01f86-dcad-42d2-a26b-2701bd4d2060

 

90 Best Innovation Blogs and Websites in 2025

 All blogs in one place:

https://bloggers.feedspot.com/innovation_blogs/

India Invents blog ranked among the Top 100 Innovation Blogs and websites , 2025

 

India Invents blog is ranked 29 among Top 90 Innovation Blogs and websites in 2025.

https://bloggers.feedspot.com/innovation_blogs/

Indian Incubators 2024

 

 Analysis from 1100 incubators and 1,77,00 startups:

• only 8.2 % of all startups are incubated.
• 20% of incubators support 98% of these startups that are incubated.
• Chances of incubated startups receiving external funding are better- (17.5%) compared to 7.1% for all startups)
• academic institutes house 2/3rd of the incubators.
• 20% of incubators work as implementing arm of government schemes promoting startups. (226 out of 1100).

Read: https://doms.iitm.ac.in/crest/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IIK_2024_updated.pdf

When Technology meant Manufacturing Technology

My first book `Management of Technology Change' was written in 1994, the beginning of Liberalisation & Globalisation. Information Technology was still not a popular term and Technology was generally referred to as Manufacturing Technology. 

For decades, the industry has managed technology change by importing technology (as available) from joint venture partners. Despite policymakers hoping the Indian Industry would follow MITI Japanese model- import technology, absorb the technology, and later improve the technology to export it, our industry is struck in the first phase of technology import. Technology obsolescence is pervasive and India was least prepared to face global competition when the gates were open. Adding to the pain, the joint venture partners abandoned Indian partners to start their own subsidies.

This book looked at the fundamentals- 

• What constitutes manufacturing technology?
• How to manage changes in technology?
• How Firm Specific Knowledge enhances Technological Capabilty?

Manufacturing Technology (Industry 4.0) is now on the policy horizon.  Are we repeating the mistake of managing new digital technology like in 70's and 80's with imports of capital goods and software, without calibrated Technological Capability enhancement?

Draft Rules for Clinical Electrical Thermometer for comments from stakeholders- India

 The Indian Government invited comments on the draft.

https://consumeraffairs.nic.in/sites/default/files/file-uploads/latestnews/Draft%20Rules%20for%20Clinical%20Electrical%20Thermometer%20with%20Maximum%20Device.pdf

This specification applies to battery-powered instruments which provide a digital indication of temperature. 

(4) Clinical electrical thermometers designed to measure skin temperature are not covered by this specification. 

(5) This specification does not exclude the use of any contract device based on other measurement principles that meets equivalent performance standards in determining maximum body temperature at specified time intervals. 

2. Terminology.- 

(1) A clinical electrical thermometer, as covered by this specification is a contact thermometer comprising a temperature probe and an indicating unit, and that is designed to measure human or animal body temperature. 

(2) A temperature probe is the component of a thermometer of which part is applied to a body cavity or tissue with which it establishes thermal equilibrium. It comprises a temperature sensor with associated parts including coverage, seals, inner leads, and connecting plug, where appropriate. 

Notes: 

1. A body or tissue may be the mouth (sublingual), rectum, or armpit. 2. The part of the probe in contact with a body cavity or tissue is called the ‘applied part’. 

3. An indicating unit is the component of a thermometer that process the output signal of the temperature sensor and displays the measured temperature.

Sample chapter- Top 100 Indian Innovations (2024)

 Read the sample chapter with the list of Top 100.

WIPO Intellectual Propert Indicators 2024

 Resident Indian patent owners cross 50%.

Illustrated cases of Resident Indian patent owners:

https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0DK5LWNST

(Source- WIPO)

Innovation Yearbook (2024) released

 

Links - http://motguru.com/

Guidelines for import of live seaweeds into India

 The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has notified the Guidelines for import of live seaweeds into India. These guidelines seek to ensure biosecurity and protect domestic marine ecosystems. The guidelines were notified on October 21, 2024.

India’s History with Seaweed

India boasts a diverse range of approximately 844 seaweed species. Among these, red algae like Gelidiella acerosa, Gracilaria edulis, G. crassa, G. foliifera, and G. verrucosa are cultivated for agar production. Brown algae such as Sargassum spp., Turbinaria spp., and Cystoseira trinodis are utilized to produce alginates and liquid seaweed fertilizers.

What do the new guidelines cover?

The new guidelines outline specific conditions for importing live seaweed, including mandatory permits and phytosanitary certificates. The import of certain seaweed species will be restricted to prevent the introduction of invasive species and diseases.

Imported seaweed will be subjected to rigorous quarantine procedures, including inspection, testing, and potential fumigation or disinfection. The government is taking steps to minimize the risk of introducing harmful pathogens and diseases that could impact domestic seaweed cultivation and marine environments.

The government aims to promote domestic seaweed cultivation and reduce reliance on imports.

Rationale for New Regulations

Seaweed can harbor various diseases and pests that can harm marine ecosystems.

Additionally, strict import regulations will help protect the domestic seaweed industry from competition from foreign-sourced seaweed. As per the recent estimate by CMFRI, India has the potential to produce around 9.7 million tonnes of seaweed per year, while the current seaweed production is only 34 thousand tonnes.

(Source: https://www.legalitysimplified.com/guidelines-for-import-of-live-seaweeds-into-india/

TOP 100 INDIAN INNOVATIONS (2024)

 

This is the third publication of the Innovation Yearbook series. The first edition- Top 100 Indian Innovations (2022) provided 100 answers to the question- Is India innovative? And with the next 100 profiled in 2023, the Innovation Yearbook has been accepted as the most authentic reference volume on Indian Innovations. With the current volume, the count goes to 300 Indian innovations. In addition to serving as a refrence book, we hope the innovation yearbook series will be widely distributed in the libraries, to inform & excite the students. Each volume explains technology trends, patent status, innovation merits, and the personal background of each innovator. This type of comprehensive information is not available to seekers in any textbook or social media We received nearly 1000 nominations, directly or indirectly, and thank all innovators & stakeholders for helping us in this task. A hundred innovations are selected from out-of-the-sourced documents. For selection, equal weight is given to ‘innovator profile’ and ‘innovation merit’.

To supplement information received along with recommendations/ nominations, additional details are collected from publicly available documents on the net. Photos of inventors/ founders are taken from their LinkedIn profiles which are also cited in select cases. The photo on the cover page is provided by Zen Technologies.

Editors

• Aynampudi.Subbarao.
• KVSP Rao,
• Sachinn Aggarwal
• Raman Teja Venigalla

Links: 

https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0DK5LWNST

https://notionpress.com/read/top-100-indian-innovations-2024?

https://www.flipkart.com/top-100-indian-innovations-2024/p/itm35c79de263d37?

Innovation, Competition and Ambition by Naushad Forbes

 

Source: Naushad Forbes ndforbes@forbesmarshall.com Co-Chairman Forbes Marshall, Past President CII, Chairman of Centre for Technology Innovation and Economic Research and Ananta Aspen Centre. His book, The Struggle and the Promise has been published by HarperCollins. (Published in Business Standard dated 19th September 2024)

Innovation Yearbook