IDFC First Bank has partnered with the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) to launch ‘IGNITE’, an incubation programme with a total outlay of ₹2 crore.
It will provide financial and operational support, including a direct startup grant corpus of ₹1.36 crore to 16 selected startups.
Microsoft India, in collaboration with the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) at the IIT Delhi, has launched UNNATI AI 2.0.
It is the second phase of the flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Microsoft India, with the name signifying 'Unnati se Pragati' (progress through growth). The program aims to democratise access to AI technologies to strengthen the AI talent pipeline in India, with a special focus on fostering startups and innovation in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
The Tamil Nadu government has launched the 'Nalam TN' integrated digital platform to facilitate fast and remote Outpatient (OP) registration and appointments at government hospitals across the state.
It has also introduced the Tamil Nadu Health Foundation (Nalam TN) portal under the Health & Family Welfare Department, which allows individuals and corporate entities to transparently sponsor medical equipment or make direct donations to specific government hospitals.
The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has notified the ‘Companies (Corporate Social Responsibility Policy) Amendment Rules, 2026’.
Under this, companies are permitted to channel up to 10% of their annual mandatory Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) expenditure into Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) instruments listed on Social Stock Exchanges (SSEs). Companies must direct the remaining 90% of their CSR spending toward traditional community implementation routes.
The NPO issuing the ZCZPs is responsible for project execution and evaluation, and must complete the funded public welfare project within 3 succeeding financial years from the date of issue.