Welcome to 1947. We’re on a mission to provide intellectually curious Indians with unbiased, facts-only news. It’s great to have you here.

Today’s February 6. We’re covering Indian railways’ electrification, Swiggy’s Q3 earnings, AI cameras to catch cheating, and more.

MUST KNOW

Indian Railways achieves over 94% electrification

India is celebrating 100 years of railway electrification, a process that began in February 1925. In 2015, the National Railway Board launched an Environment Directorate, accelerating electrification. By 2024, 94% of railway lines were electrified, with full coverage expected soon.

Electrification reduces reliance on imported oil, improving energy security. Since 2014, over 40,000 kms. have been electrified—nearly double the total before 2014. With this, Indian Railways, now the country’s largest electricity consumer, expects to save 2.8 billion litres of diesel annually.

India leads global railways electrification, outpacing Germany, the US, and the UK, where progress is much slower.

GOOD TO KNOW

Policy & Governance

US Deportation Flight Brings 104 Indian Migrants Back

A US military plane carrying 104 deported Indian migrants landed in Amritsar, marking the first such flight in a US crackdown on illegal immigration. As of 2022, India ranks third for the largest number of unauthorized immigrants in the US, with 725,000 undocumented residents, primarily from Punjab and Gujarat. Indians also represented about 3% of all US illegal border crossings in 2024.

Government Plans Annual and Lifetime Toll Passes for Highways

The government is considering introducing an annual toll pass for ₹3,000, allowing unlimited use of national highways. A lifetime pass valid for 15 years may also be offered for ₹30,000. The proposal is reportedly at an advanced stage with the road transport ministry.

India’s Finance Ministry Bans AI Tools Like ChatGPT, DeepSeek

India’s finance ministry has instructed employees to avoid using AI tools, including ChatGPT and DeepSeek, for official work, citing concerns over government data confidentiality. The directive follows similar restrictions in countries like Australia and Italy, which have flagged data security risks associated with AI applications.

Bhopal Bans Begging in Public Places, Following Indore’s Lead

Bhopal district has issued a complete ban on begging in public spaces, mirroring Indore’s recent crackdown. The ban prohibits both giving and receiving alms, with violators facing legal action under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Act. To provide an alternative for displaced beggars, the administration has designated the Community Health Centre in Kolar as a shelter home for their accommodation.

Environment

Mission Life Fades Amid Lack of Funding

India’s Mission Life, a government initiative launched in 2021 to promote eco-friendly lifestyle choices, was absent from the recent budget, signaling its decline. Once backed by PM Modi, the program aimed to cut emissions but struggled without financial incentives or infrastructure reforms. Experts say small businesses prioritize costs over sustainability, and lasting change requires large-scale public transport improvements.

Maharashtra Cotton Farmers Demand More Amid Declining Yields

Cotton farmers in Maharashtra are seeking increased funding and technology upgrades to address declining yields. Despite the ₹500 crore allocation for the National Cotton Mission in the Union Budget, experts say this is insufficient. Key issues include outdated seeds, lack of mechanization, and inadequate government procurement.

Cheetahs to be released in Kuno

Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park released five more adult cheetahs into the wild on Wednesday. With this release, seven out of 12 adult cheetahs are now free-roaming. The initiative, part of Project Cheetah, aims to restore the species after 70 years of extinction in India and boost tourism and employment in the state.

Business

BlackRock to Hire 1,200 in India to Expand AI, Support Hubs

The world’s largest asset management firm BlackRock plans to recruit nearly 1,200 employees in India to strengthen its AI capabilities and expand its support hubs in Mumbai and Gurugram. The hiring spree will add to its existing 3,500-strong workforce in the country, underscoring India's growing role in global financial operations and AI-driven investment strategies.

India Accuses Kia of $155M Tax Evasion

India has accused South Korea’s Kia of evading $155 million in taxes by misclassifying imported components for assembling its Carnival minivan. Kia denies wrongdoing. The case adds to foreign automakers’ struggles with India’s high tariffs and prolonged tax disputes. Volkswagen is already fighting a $1.4 billion back-tax demand, while Tesla has repeatedly criticized India's import duties on EVs.

Tech, Media & Telecom

Swiggy’s Q3 Loss Widens to ₹799 Crore Amid Rising Quick-Commerce Costs

Swiggy posted a consolidated net loss of ₹799.08 crore for Q3 FY25, widening from ₹625.53 crore in the previous quarter, missing analyst expectations of ₹620 crore. Revenue grew 10.9% sequentially to ₹3,993.07 crore, slightly below Bloomberg’s ₹4,019 crore estimate. CEO Sriharsha Majety attributed the loss to intensified competition in quick commerce, which drove down Swiggy’s contribution margin from -1.9% to -4.6% as incumbents and new entrants ramped up investments.

OpenAI’s Altman Discusses AI Expansion in India Amid Legal Battle

In a visit to India, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman revealed that the country has become the company’s second-largest market, with user numbers tripling over the past year. During a meeting with IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Altman discussed India’s plans to develop a low-cost AI ecosystem. Meanwhile, OpenAI faces a copyright lawsuit in India, filed by news agency ANI, over alleged unauthorized use of content for AI training. Legal experts suggest that an Indian court ruling on the case could set a global precedent.

AI Aided Cameras to Monitor SSLC Exams in Karnataka

Karnataka's SSLC exams 2025 will be monitored by AI-powered CCTV cameras in sensitive exam centers to detect malpractices. The pilot project, in collaboration with Microsoft, will enhance security beyond 2024’s webcasting system. The AI will flag irregularities and notify officials in real-time. With over 9 lakh students enrolled, the initiative aims to curb exam fraud and improve fairness in assessments.

Cashfree Raises $53M, Hits $700M Valuation

Indian payments startup Cashfree has secured $53 million in a Series C funding round led by Krafton, the gaming company that has developed PUBG and BGMI. Bengaluru-based Cashfree, which processes over $80 billion annually, is now valued at $700 million, according to source.

Thanks for reading. If you have any feedback on our issue, we’d love to hear it! Please reply to this email or write to us at [email protected].

See you tomorrow.