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- The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DoT) has recently unveiled the ‘Samarth’ incubation program.
- About the Samarth Incubation Program:
- Launched by C-DoT, an autonomous research and development center under the Department of Telecommunication (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India.
- Objective: To provide support to startups working in telecom software, cybersecurity, 5G and 6G technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) applications, and quantum technologies.
- The initiative aims to foster the growth of innovative, sustainable business models, provide access to state-of-the-art resources, and assist startups in transitioning from concept development to commercialization.
- C-DoT has partnered with Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) for the program’s execution.
- The program, which will be conducted in a hybrid format, will accommodate a maximum of 18 startups per cohort, with two cohorts, each lasting six months, for a total of 36 startups.
- Applications for ‘Samarth’ are open to startups recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
- Selected startups will receive a grant of up to Rs 5 lakh each, along with six months of office space at C-DoT’s campus, access to C-DoT’s lab facilities, and mentorship from C-DoT’s technical experts and industry professionals.
- As the startups progress, there will be opportunities for further collaboration under C-DoT’s Collaborative Research Program.
- The government recently reported that between November 2023 and February 2025, a total of 465 incidents of GPS interference and spoofing were recorded, predominantly in the Amritsar and Jammu border regions.
- What is a Spoofing Attack?
- A "spoofing attack" is a type of cyberattack where counterfeit data is presented as originating from a trusted source, tricking systems or users into taking incorrect actions.
- There are several types of spoofing, including GPS spoofing, IP spoofing (commonly used in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks), SMS spoofing, and caller ID spoofing, where messages or calls appear to come from a different number or identity.
- About GPS Spoofing:
- GPS spoofing involves transmitting fraudulent radio signals that imitate legitimate Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, misleading GPS devices about their true location.
- This can result in inaccurate navigation data and pose serious risks, particularly for systems that depend on precise location information.
- How GPS Spoofing Works:
- GPS spoofing takes advantage of vulnerabilities in the GPS system, primarily the weak signal strength of GPS satellites.
- The GPS system operates by sending signals from satellites to GPS receivers on Earth, which calculate their position based on the time these signals take to reach them.
- However, due to the weak nature of GPS satellite signals, they can be easily overridden by counterfeit signals, leading to incorrect location data on the receiver.
- A typical GPS spoofing attack begins with the attacker analyzing the victim's GPS setup, including the types of signals it uses and its processing methods. Armed with this knowledge, the attacker then transmits fake GPS signals that are stronger than the authentic ones, causing the GPS receiver to mistakenly recognize them as legitimate. As a result, the device processes the fake signals, leading to erroneous location information.
- The Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) recently introduced regulations for the implementation of the Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) under the National Pension System (NPS), 2025.
- About Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA):
- The PFRDA is a statutory regulatory authority established under the PFRDA Act of 2014.
- Objective: To enhance old-age income security by creating, developing, and regulating pension funds while safeguarding the interests of subscribers to pension fund schemes and related matters.
- It operates under the Ministry of Finance.
- Headquartered in New Delhi, PFRDA has regional offices across India.
- Composition:
- According to Section 4 of the PFRDA Act, the Authority is made up of the following members:
- A Chairperson;
- Three full-time members;
- Three part-time members.
- These members are appointed by the Central Government from individuals with demonstrated ability, integrity, and expertise in economics, finance, or law, with at least one person from each field.
- Functions:
- Regulating the National Pension System (NPS) and other pension schemes covered under the PFRDA Act.
- Promoting awareness among subscribers and the public on pensions, retirement savings, and related topics, as well as training intermediaries.
- Offering pension schemes that are not governed by other legislation.
- Protecting the interests of NPS subscribers and those involved in other approved schemes.
- Approving pension schemes and establishing investment norms and guidelines.
- Registering and regulating intermediaries, including the NPS Trust, Points of Presence, Central Record-keeping Agency, Trustee Bank, Pension Funds, and Custodians, ensuring timely service to subscribers.
- Ensuring that operational and intermediation costs remain cost-effective and reasonable.
- Strengthening the grievance redressal process to be more efficient and time-bound.
- Resolving disputes between intermediaries and between intermediaries and subscribers.