#FactCheck - Viral Clip Not Harish Rana’s Farewell, Linked to Surat Woman’s Organ Donation

Introduction

India has been a nation where technology penetration has been a little slower in the previous decades; however, that has changed now. Cyberspace has influenced and touched every country and has significantly diminished the gap between developing nations, developed nations, and underdeveloped nations. This has also been substantiated and strengthened during the Covid-19 pandemic as the world went into lockdown and the cyberspace was the only medium of communication and information. India witnessed a rise of 61% in terms of internet users, and a significant part of this number represented rural India.

New Standards

These standards have been released in threefold aspects covering – Digital Television Receivers, USB Type-C chargers, and Video Surveillance Systems, thus streamlining the use of gadgets and reduction of e-waste for the country.

1. Digital Television Receivers

The Indian standard IS 18112:2022 specification for digital television, and this standard would enable reception of free-to-air TV and radio channels just by connecting a dish antenna with LNB mounted on a suitable area with good signal reception. This will help in the transmission of knowledge about government initiatives and schemes, the educational content of Doordarshan, and the repository of Indian cultural programs. Doordarshan is in the process of phasing out analog transmission, and free-to-air channels will continue to be broadcast using digital satellite transmission. The keen aspects of educational and awareness programs run by the Govt and CSOs will impact more Indians than before as the Ministry of Information and Broadcast intends to increase their free channels of Doordarshan from 55 to 200 by the end of this year, which shows the importance of developments in the mass media industry.

2. USB Type C

Standard (IS/IEC 62680-1-3:2022) for USB Type-C receptacles, plugs, and cables adopting the existing global standard IEC 62680-1-3:2022. This standard provides for the requirements for USB type C ports and cables for use in various electronic devices like laptops, mobile phones, and other gadgets. This standard is similar to the new European standard, which is also aimed at the reduction of carbon emissions and e-waste; this move will result in ease for the industry and the end users. This will also contribute towards the strengthening of the cyber security aspects and prevent threats like ‘Juice Jacking’ to a massive extent.

3. Video Surveillance System

IS 16190, this standard provides a detailed outline of the aspects of a video surveillance system, such as requirements for its components like camera devices, interfaces, system requirements, and tests to ascertain the camera’s image quality on different devices. This series of standards would assist customers, installers, and users in establishing their requirements and determining the appropriate equipment required for their intended application and also provide means of evaluating the performance of the VSS objectively. This will also help in the improvement of surveillance by the individuals, and this will also help in the better investigation by Law enforcement agencies and faster apprehension of criminals, thus contributing to an overall safe society.

The Advantages

These standards are in power with the Internationally prevalent standards, thus taking the safety factors to the global aspect. This will also allow the Indian industry to create world-class products which can be shared all across the globe. This will open India to various opportunities and job avenues, thus opening the world to invest in India. The aspect of Atma Nirbhar Bharat and Digital India will be strengthened to a new level as the nation will be able to deliver products in power with quality in developed countries. The end Indian consumer will benefit the most from these upgraded standards in terms of Digital Televisions, Type ‘C’ USB chargers, and Video surveillance systems, as these impacts the consumers’ daily activities in terms of security and access to information.

• Reduction in Carbon Emission
• Production of World Class components and devices
• Boost to the economy and Atmanirbhar Bharat
• New avenues and opportunities for startups and MSMEs
• Better transmission of Knowledge
• Boosting FDI
• Improved quality of products for the end consumer
• New innovation hubs and exposure to global talents

This government move simply shows how India is working toward securing the Sustainable development Goals (SDG) by United Nations. This clearly shares the message to the world that India is ready for the future and will also be a helping hand to various developing and underdeveloped nations in the times to come.

Conclusion

These standards will significantly contribute towards the reduction of E-Waste and unnecessary accessories for daily use gadgets. This strengthens the reduction in carbon emissions and thus contributes towards the perseverance of the environment and working towards sustainable development goals. Such standards will lead the future towards securing the netizens and their new and evolving digital habits. In the current phase of cyberspace, the most essential aspect of establishing Critical Infrastructure as the same will act as a shield against the threats of cyberspace.

Executive Summary:

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We have identified a post addressing a scam email that falsely claims to offer a download link for an e-PAN Card. This deceptive email is designed to mislead recipients into disclosing sensitive financial information by impersonating official communication from Income Tax Department authorities. Our report aims to raise awareness about this fraudulent scheme and emphasize the importance of safeguarding personal data against such cyber threats.

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Claim:

Scammers are sending fake emails, asking people to download their e-PAN cards. These emails pretend to be from government authorities like the Income Tax Department and contain harmful links that can steal personal information or infect devices with malware.

Fact Check: 

Through our research, we have found that scammers are sending fake emails, posing as the Income Tax Department, to trick users into downloading e-PAN cards from unofficial links. These emails contain malicious links that can lead to phishing attacks or malware infections. Genuine e-PAN services are only available through official platforms such as the Income Tax Department's website (www.incometaxindia.gov.in) and the NSDL/UTIITSL portals. Despite repeated warnings, many individuals still fall victim to such scams. To combat this, the Income Tax Department has a dedicated page for reporting phishing attempts: Report Phishing - Income Tax India. It is crucial for users to stay cautious, verify email authenticity, and avoid clicking on suspicious links to protect their personal information.

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Conclusion:   

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The emails currently in circulation claiming to provide e-PAN card downloads are fraudulent and should not be trusted. These deceptive messages often impersonate government authorities and contain malicious links that can result in identity theft or financial fraud. Clicking on such links may compromise sensitive personal information, putting individuals at serious risk. To ensure security, users are strongly advised to verify any such communication directly through official government websites and avoid engaging with unverified sources. Additionally, any phishing attempts should be reported to the Income Tax Department and also to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to help prevent the spread of such scams. Staying vigilant and exercising caution when handling unsolicited emails is crucial in safeguarding personal and financial data.

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• Claim: Fake emails claim to offer e-PAN card downloads.
• Claimed On: Social Media
• Fact Check:  False and Misleading 

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Introduction

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AI is transforming the way work is done and redefining the nature of jobs over the next decade. In the case of India, it is not just what duties will be taken over by machines, but how millions of employees will move to other sectors, which skills will become more sought-after, and how policy will have to change in response. This article relies on recent labour data of India's Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS, 2023-24) and discusses the vulnerabilities to disruption by location and social groups. It recommends viable actions that can be taken to ensure that risks are minimised and economic benefits maximised.

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India’s Labour Market and Its Automation Readiness

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According to India’s Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), the labour market is changing and growing. Participation in the labour force improved to 60.1 per percent in 2023-24 versus 57.9 per cent the year before, and the ratio of the worker population also improved, signifying the increased employment uptake both in the rural and urban geographies (PLFS, 2023-24). There has also been an upsurge of female involvement. However,  a big portion of the job market has been low-wage and informal, with most of the jobs being routine and thus most vulnerable to automation. The statistics indicate a two-tiered reality of the Indian labour market: an increased number of working individuals and a structural weakness.

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AI-Driven Automation’s Impact on Tasks and Emerging Opportunities 

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AI-driven automation, for the most part,  affects the task components of jobs rather than wiping out whole jobs. The most automatable tasks are routine and manual, and more recent developments in AI have extended to non-routine cognitive tasks like document review, customer query handling, basic coding and first-level decision-making. There are two concurrent findings of global studies. To start with, part of the ongoing tasks will be automated or expedited. Second, there will be completely new tasks and work positions around data annotation, the operation of AI systems, prompt engineering, algorithmic supervision and AI adherence (World Bank, 2025; McKinsey, 2017).

In the case of India, this change will be skewed by sector. The manufacturing, back-office IT services, retail and parts of financial services will see the highest rate of disruption due to the concentration of routine processes with the ease of technology adoption. In comparison, healthcare, education, high-tech manufacturing and AI safety auditing are placed to create new skilled jobs. NITI Aayog estimates huge returns in GDP with the adoption of AI but emphasises that India has to invest simultaneously in job creation and reskilling to achieve the returns (NITI Aayog, 2025).

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Groups with Highest Vulnerability in the Transition to Automation

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The PLFS emphasises that a large portion of the Indian population does not have any formal employment and that the social protection is minimal and formal training is not available to them. The risk of displacement is likely to be the greatest for informal employees, making up almost 90% of India’s labour force, who carry out low-skilled, repetitive jobs in the manufacturing and retail industry (PLFS, 2023-24). Women and young people in low-level service jobs also face a greater challenge of transition pressure unless the reskilling and placement efforts can be tailored to them. Meanwhile, major cities and urban centres are likely to have openings for most of the new skilled opportunities at the expense of an increasing geographic and social divide. 

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The Skills and Supply Challenge

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While India’s education and research ecosystem is expanding, there remain significant gaps in preparing the workforce for AI-driven change. Given the vulnerabilities highlighted earlier, AI-focused reskilling must be a priority to equip workers with practical skills that meet industry needs. Short modular programs in areas such as cloud technologies, AI operations, data annotation, human-AI interaction, and cybersecurity can provide workers with employable skills. Particular attention should be given to routine-intensive sectors like manufacturing, retail, and back-office services, as well as to regions with high informal employment or lower access to formal training. Public-private partnerships and localised training initiatives can help ensure that reskilling translates into concrete job opportunities rather than purely theoretical knowledge (NITI Aayog, 2025)

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The Way Forward

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To facilitate the change process, the policy should focus on three interconnected goals: safeguarding the vulnerable, developing competencies on a large-scale level, and directing innovation towards the widespread ability to benefit.

1. Protect the vulnerable through social buffers. Provide informal workers with social protection in the form of portable benefits, temporary income insurance based on reskilling, and earned training leave. While the new labour codes provide essential protections such as unemployment allowances and minimum wage standards, they could be strengthened by incorporating explicit provisions for reskilling. This would better support informal workers during job transitions and enhance workforce adaptability.
2. Short modular courses on cloud computing, cybersecurity, data annotation, AI operations, and human-AI interaction should be planned through collaboration between public and private training providers. Special preference should be given to industry-certified certifications and apprenticeship-based placements. These apprenticeships should be made accessible in multiple languages to ensure inclusivity. Existing government initiatives, such as NASSCOM’s Future Skills Prime, need better outreach and marketing to reach the workforce effectively.
3. Enhance local labour market mediators. Close the disparity between local demand and the supply of labour in the industry by enhancing placement services and government-subsidised internship programmes for displaced employees and encouraging firms to hire and train locally.
4. Invest in AI literacy, AI ethics, and basic education. Democratise access to research and learning by introducing AI literacy in schools, increasing STEM seats in universities, and creating AI labs in the region (NITI Aayog, 2025).
5. Encourage AI adoption that creates jobs rather than replaces them. Fiscal and regulatory incentives should prioritise AI tools that augment worker productivity in routine roles instead of eliminating positions. Public procurement can support firms that demonstrate responsible and inclusive deployment of AI, ensuring technology benefits both business and workforce.
6. Supervise and oversee the transition. Use PLFS and real-time administrative data to monitor shrinking and expanding occupations. High-frequency labour market dashboards will allow making specific interventions in those regions in which the acceleration of displacement occurs.

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Conclusion

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The integration of AI will significantly impact the future of the Indian workforce, but policy will determine its effect on the labour market.  The PLFS indicates increased employment but a structural weakness of informal and routine employment. Evidence from the Indian market and international research points to the fact that the appropriate combination of social protection, skills building and responsible technology implementation can change disruption into a path of upward mobility. There is a very limited window of action. The extent to which India will realise the productivity and GDP benefits predicted by national research, alongside the investments made in labour market infrastructure, remains uncertain. It is crucial that these efforts lead to the capture of gains and facilitate a fair and inclusive transition for workers.

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References

• Annual Report Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) JULY 2022 - JUNE 2023. 
• Future Jobs: Robots, Artificial Intelligence, and Digital Platforms in East Asia and Pacific, World Bank. 
• Jobs Lost, Jobs Gained: What the Future of Work Will Mean for Jobs, Skills, and Wages, McKinsey Global Institute 
• Roadmap for Job Creation in the AI Economy, NITI Aayog
• India central bank chief warns of financial stability risks from growing use of AI, Reuters 
• AI Cyber Attacks Statistics 2025, SQ Magazine. 

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