In 2000, after receiving a loan worth 8,00,000 rupees ($9,000), Vijay Shekhar Sharma founded Paytm's parent organisation – One97 Communications, which offered digital goods and services. Later in 2010, with an initial investment of $2 million, Sharma launched Paytm, an acronym for 'pay through mobile,' which started as a prepaid mobile and DTH (direct-to-home) recharge platform headquartered in Noida, India. &nbsp;

In less than ten years, Paytm has developed into one of the most valuable financial start-ups in the nation. &nbsp; &nbsp;

In 2014, the Paytm Wallet became one of India's most popular digital wallets. The following few years saw Paytm grow its user base and enter the e-commerce space by enabling online shopping and ticketing. Digital payments surged in 2016 after India demonetised 500- and 1000-rupee notes. &nbsp;

"Paytm Karo" became the infamous tagline that every Indian was familiar with when thinking about online shopping after demonetisation. &nbsp;

Paytm was the first payment app in the nation that achieved 100 million downloads in 2017. As of March 1, 2021, Paytm had 1.2 billion monthly transactions and more than 150 million active users. &nbsp; &nbsp;

With a 15 per cent month-over-month gain, the digital payments giant now holds the largest market share in the offline merchant payments sector. The business has expanded into several services, including ticketing for movies and flights, gold sales, insurance, bank deposits and remittances. &nbsp; &nbsp;

IPO Listing &nbsp; &nbsp;

In 2021, Paytm made history by conducting India's largest Initial Public Offering (IPO). Its initial public offering exceeded Coal India's IPO of Rs 15,200 crore ($1.8 billion) in 2010. &nbsp;

After completing the IPO, Paytm's founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma broke into tears during his speech at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), as per a report by NDTV. &nbsp;

The company surpassed the market capitalisation milestone of Rs. 1 lakh crore ($12 billion). The digital payments company's market cap on the BSE touched Rs. 1.19 lakh crore ($14 billion). &nbsp;

Purchase of stake from Antfin &nbsp; &nbsp;

In August 2023, Paytm's CEO announced that he intends to purchase a 10.3 per cent stake from Antfin, an Ant Financial subsidiary, for $628 million. This move aimed to streamline ownership within the Indian payments firm. Following the announcement, Paytm's shares surged by 11.4 per cent, having already risen over 50 per cent in the year. Antfin (Netherlands) Holding B.V.'s acquisition price is 796.6 rupees ($9.3) per share, mirroring Paytm's recent closing price. This purchase will reduce Antfin's ownership to 13.5 per cent, relinquishing its status as the largest stakeholder. Notably, China's Alibaba sold its entire stake in Paytm in February, while Softbank Group Corp has gradually lowered its stake, now at 9.18 per cent. After this acquisition, Sharma, Paytm's founder, will become the primary stakeholder with 19.42 per cent. &nbsp; &nbsp;

The success of Paytm &nbsp;

Research by International Journal for Research in Engineering Application &amp; Management attributes Paytm's success to its revenue model and innovative strategies to enhance its services in the Indian digital financial services sector. &nbsp;

Revenue model &nbsp;

A diversified revenue model of Paytm has played a huge role in its growth and market leadership. By adopting various revenue streams, Paytm has ensured financial stability and catered to different user base segments. &nbsp;

For instance, the advertising revenue model allows sellers to promote their products on Paytm's platform for a fee. The subscription model lets sellers pay an annual subscription fee to list their products. And Paytm's advance payment model capitalises on customer payments by accruing interest until funds are transferred to sellers. &nbsp;

Innovative strategies &nbsp; &nbsp;

What began as a platform for online bill payments has evolved into a comprehensive mobile money solution, including the establishment of Paytm Payments Bank. This initiative bridges the gap for individuals needing access to traditional financial services. The launch of the Paytm for Business app and banking features targeting corporate customers exemplify Paytm's versatility and adaptability to varying market demands.

Paytm was among the first financial companies to push for cashless transactions by making digital payments through a unified payments interface (UPI), which has presently proven to be a huge success.

&nbsp;

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In 2000, after receiving a loan worth 8,00,000 rupees ($9,000), Vijay Shekhar Sharma founded Paytm's parent organisation – One97 Communications, which offered digital goods and services.

In 2000, after receiving a loan worth 8,00,000 rupees ($9,000), Vijay Shekhar Sharma founded Paytm's parent organisation – One97 Communications, which offered digital goods and services. Later in 2010, with an initial investment of $2 million, Sharma launched Paytm, an acronym for 'pay through mobile,' which started as a prepaid mobile and DTH (direct-to-home) recharge platform headquartered in Noida, India. In less than ten years, Paytm has developed into one of the most valuable financial start-ups in the nation. In 2014, the Paytm Wallet became one of India's most popular digital wallets. The following few years saw Paytm grow its user base and enter the e-commerce space by enabling online shopping and ticketing. Digital payments surged in 2016 after India demonetised 500- and 1000-rupee notes. "Paytm Karo" became the infamous tagline that every Indian was familiar with when thinking about online shopping after demonetisation. Paytm was the first payment app in the nation that achieved 100 million downloads in 2017. As of March 1, 2021, Paytm had 1.2 billion monthly transactions and more than 150 million active users. With a 15 per cent month-over-month gain, the digital payments giant now holds the largest market share in the offline merchant payments sector. The business has expanded into several services, including ticketing for movies and flights, gold sales, insurance, bank deposits and remittances. IPO Listing In 2021, Paytm made history by conducting India's largest Initial Public Offering (IPO). Its initial public offering exceeded Coal India's IPO of Rs 15,200 crore ($1.8 billion) in 2010. After completing the IPO, Paytm's founder Vijay Shekhar Sharma broke into tears during his speech at the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), as per a report by NDTV. The company surpassed the market capitalisation milestone of Rs. 1 lakh crore ($12 billion). The digital payments company's market cap on the BSE touched Rs. 1.19 lakh crore ($14 billion). Purchase of stake from Antfin In August 2023, Paytm's CEO announced that he intends to purchase a 10.3 per cent stake from Antfin, an Ant Financial subsidiary, for $628 million. This move aimed to streamline ownership within the Indian payments firm. Following the announcement, Paytm's shares surged by 11.4 per cent, having already risen over 50 per cent in the year. Antfin (Netherlands) Holding B.V.'s acquisition price is 796.6 rupees ($9.3) per share, mirroring Paytm's recent closing price. This purchase will reduce Antfin's ownership to 13.5 per cent, relinquishing its status as the largest stakeholder. Notably, China's Alibaba sold its entire stake in Paytm in February, while Softbank Group Corp has gradually lowered its stake, now at 9.18 per cent. After this acquisition, Sharma, Paytm's founder, will become the primary stakeholder with 19.42 per cent. The success of Paytm Research by International Journal for Research in Engineering Application & Management attributes Paytm's success to its revenue model and innovative strategies to enhance its services in the Indian digital financial services sector. Revenue model A diversified revenue model of Paytm has played a huge role in its growth and market leadership. By adopting various revenue streams, Paytm has ensured financial stability and catered to different user base segments. For instance, the advertising revenue model allows sellers to promote their products on Paytm's platform for a fee. The subscription model lets sellers pay an annual subscription fee to list their products. And Paytm's advance payment model capitalises on customer payments by accruing interest until funds are transferred to sellers. Innovative strategies What began as a platform for online bill payments has evolved into a comprehensive mobile money solution, including the establishment of Paytm Payments Bank. This initiative bridges the gap for individuals needing access to traditional financial services. The launch of the Paytm for Business app and banking features targeting corporate customers exemplify Paytm's versatility and adaptability to varying market demands. Paytm was among the first financial companies to push for cashless transactions by making digital payments through a unified payments interface (UPI), which has presently proven to be a huge success. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Flashback Friday: Pioneering the e-wallet ecosystem – The story of Paytm  

PM Modi's government has defeated the no-trust vote in the Parliament. Speaking about the vote, PM Modi accused the opposition of playing personal politics instead of focusing on India's growth story. Molly Gambhir brings you a report.

Gravitas: PM Modi's govt defeats no-trust vote in Parliament

India beat Japan 5-0 in the Asian Championships Trophy Hockey Tournament final at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium on Friday. India will take on Malaysia on Saturday.

Asian Championships Trophy: India storm into final after beating Japan 5-0 | WION Pulse

QUAD navies are demonstrating remarkable camaraderie. As they kickstart the Malabar exercise in the Pacific Ocean. The multilateral naval exercise Malabar has left China worrying.

Malabar exercise 2023: QUAD countries kickstart war games in the Pacific

Beautiful photos of the earth and moon taken by Chandrayaan 3's cameras have been released by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The moon's image was captured by Chandrayaan 3's Lander Horizontal Velocity Camera (LHVC) a day after the Lunar Orbit Insertion on August 6, according to a tweet from the space agency. The image of the earth was taken by the spacecraft's Lander Imager (LI) camera on the day of its launch on July 14, 2023.

Chandrayaan-3: India's third moon mission aims to achieve soft lunar landing

The Union government introduced a Bill on Thursday which proposes that election commissioners will be selected by a panel led by the prime minister, with the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha and a Union cabinet minister as members.

India: Centre moves new bill on appointment of election commissioners, CJI excluded from panel

In India, the latest figures show the trend of rising Cancer cases amongst the youth and it is now one of the major causes of death. Watch the video to know more.

Cancer: A leading cause of death worldwide | 2,100 people die of Cancer everyday in India | WION

The Malabar Navy Exercise, traditionally staged in the Indian Ocean, will be held off the coast of Sydney on Friday by India, Japan, the United States, and Australia. This will be the first time the war games have been held in Australia. On their journey to Sydney, Japanese and Indian navy ships made stops in the Pacific Island nations of Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, underscoring the strategic significance of the area at a time when China and the United States are at odds.

Navy vessels from India, Japan and US reach Australia

A Race to the moon is going on. Russia and India are aiming for a lunar soft-landing. Spacecraft of both nations are inching towards the moon. But, who will win the race?

Chandrayaan-3 vs Luna-25: Will Russia's lunar lander reach the moon before India?

The NDA government has decided to overhaul the criminal justice system in the country. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has introduced three new bills in the lower house and as per the senior minister they are aimed at replacing the British-era laws.

India | Big revamp of Indian Criminal Laws: Government's three new bills to overhaul Criminal Laws

An Indian parliamentary committee has proposed that the judges of the country's top court and high court should declare their assets. It says this would bring more trust and credibility into the system. Will the judges agree? Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Will Indian court judges have to declare assets?

This Indian Business Tycoon created a legacy. Having built a business empire. R Thyagarajan gave away some $750 million of his wealth.

Can loans to the poor be profitable? This Indian tycoon gave away $750 mn. Know his story

The Securities Exchange Bureau of India (Sebi) on Wednesday announced that the Initial Public Offering (IPO) listing timeline will be&nbsp;reduced to T+3 days from T+6 days. The new rules, which will come into&nbsp;effect in December this year, will allow&nbsp;IPOs to be listed three days after the issue closing date, The Economic Times reported.

“Consequent to extensive consultation with the market participants and considering the public comments received pursuant to the consultation paper on the aforesaid subject matter, it has been decided to reduce the time taken for the listing of specified securities after the closure of the public issue to three working days (T+3 days) as against the present requirement of six working days (T+6 days); ‘T’ being issue closing date,” The Economic Times quoted Sebi as saying.

The offer documents for public issues must properly disclose the T+3 schedule for listing, the report&nbsp;stated.

For public issues opening on or after September 1, 2023, the new guidelines will be voluntary, and they will be required for issues starting on or after December 1, 2023.

The market regulator said that stakeholders will gain from the shortened listing schedule since issuers and allottees will receive their funds and securities earlier, the report noted.&nbsp;

Additionally, the action guarantees that subscribers who were not given shares would immediately refunds. All stakeholders’ resources, including those of stock exchanges, banks, depositories, and brokers, will be used for a shorter period of time throughout the public offering process.

Companies must complete allocations under the new rules by 6 p.m. on T+1 day. On the T+2 day, funds will be returned to unsuccessful applicants.

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The Securities Exchange Bureau of India (Sebi) on Wednesday announced that the Initial Public Offering (IPO) listing timeline will be reduced to T+3 days from T+6 days.

The Securities Exchange Bureau of India (Sebi) on Wednesday announced that the Initial Public Offering (IPO) listing timeline will be reduced to T+3 days from T+6 days. The new rules, which will come into effect in December this year, will allow IPOs to be listed three days after the issue closing date, The Economic Times reported. “Consequent to extensive consultation with the market participants and considering the public comments received pursuant to the consultation paper on the aforesaid subject matter, it has been decided to reduce the time taken for the listing of specified securities after the closure of the public issue to three working days (T+3 days) as against the present requirement of six working days (T+6 days); ‘T’ being issue closing date,” The Economic Times quoted Sebi as saying. The offer documents for public issues must properly disclose the T+3 schedule for listing, the report stated. For public issues opening on or after September 1, 2023, the new guidelines will be voluntary, and they will be required for issues starting on or after December 1, 2023. The market regulator said that stakeholders will gain from the shortened listing schedule since issuers and allottees will receive their funds and securities earlier, the report noted. Additionally, the action guarantees that subscribers who were not given shares would immediately refunds. All stakeholders’ resources, including those of stock exchanges, banks, depositories, and brokers, will be used for a shorter period of time throughout the public offering process. Companies must complete allocations under the new rules by 6 p.m. on T+1 day. On the T+2 day, funds will be returned to unsuccessful applicants. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

IPO rules changed, listing time brought down further: Sebi 

The government will sell 5 million tonnes of wheat and 2.5 mt of rice from its stocks in the open market, an official said on Wednesday, a move aimed at stabilising prices. This is in addition to the sale of 1.5 mt of wheat and 0.5 mt of rice announced a few months ago under the open market sale scheme (OMSS).

Grain crisis: Adjusting the price sale

India's ruling NDA Alliance has defeated the no-confidence motion that had been brought against the sitting government in the parliament. Three days of heated debates and pointed attacks culminated in the Indian prime minister's closing address in the lower house.

No-Confidence motion: Voice vote in Lok Sabha seals the win for NDA Alliance

India has experienced several political upheavals throughout its 77-year history, whether in the 1960s when the Jan Sangh and other parties joined forces to combat Congress, or after the state of emergency of 1976 when the opposition joined hands against the Indira Gandhi government, the unstable governments of the 1990s, the turmoil of the first BJP government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, or the most recent Maharashtra government developments.

In all these, one thing that stayed common is the rise of a strong opposition.

Now, the nation's largest opposition parties have banded together to oppose the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-exudes-confidence-during-no-confidence-motion-debate-slams-india-alliance-624273">India: No-confidence motion defeated; PM Modi exudes 'confidence' of 2024 win, slams I.N.D.I.A. alliance</a>

On July 18, under the direction of Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress party, the 26 opposition parties named themselves INDIA, or the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance,&nbsp;renaming its earlier name UPA or United Progressive Alliance.

It remains to be seen whether this parliamentary coalition would defeat the BJP, the country's current ruling party, in the 2024 general elections, but they want the polls to happen earlier.&nbsp;

With that hope, they have moved a no-confidence motion against the government.

<h2>What is the recent INDIA vs NDA battle?</h2>

The 26-party alliance declared in Bengaluru on July 18 with much fanfare that they had united under the banner of "INDIA '' to challenge the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Meanwhile the ruling NDA held a conference of 38 parties&nbsp; just when INDIA was formed. Prime Minister Modi criticised the INDIA alliance as "unholy" and "opportunistic" with the sole aim of deposing him.

Social media users who leaned to the right framed the #INDIAvsNDA conflict as "Bharat versus India". The argument is that there is "much ado about nothing": parties and leaders, not alliance names, win elections.

By giving voters a choice between the Narendra Modi-led NDA and other political parties, the coalition seeks to dismiss the claim that there is no option other than Modi. But will that translate into votes?

<h2>Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA)</h2>

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Indian National Congress (INC) are two of the 26 opposition parties that make up the INDIA alliance. The new name was proposed by Mamata Banerjee, TMC chief and the chief minister of West Bengal at the opposition meet in Bengaluru.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhis-ex-colleague-defends-his-flying-kiss-act-calling-it-an-affectionate-gesture-624093">Rahul Gandhi's ex-colleague defends his ‘flying kiss’ act, calls it an ‘affectionate gesture’</a>

To challenge the BJP in future elections, the coalition aims to develop a strategy and a shared agenda.

<h2>National Democratic Alliance (NDA)</h2>

The NDA, a seasoned coalition dedicated to pursuing both national and regional goals, is led by BJP and Prime Minister Modi.

NDA has 38 members as of now, and many of them are tiny regional parties. There are key partners like the AIADMK, Lok Janshakti Party, and Shiv Sena.

Modi routinely highlights and lauds the NDA's accomplishments and emphasis on the growth of the country. His administration charges the opposition with encouraging nepotism, strife, and corruption.

According to Modi, A stands for the aspirations of people and regions, signifying contribution rather than coercion. N stands for New India, D for Developed Nation.

<h2>UPA to INDIA transition</h2>

The transition from UPA to INDIA shows the opposition's determination to put together a single front to take on the NDA in the next elections.

Watch |&nbsp;PM Modi LIVE: When Congress brings no-confidence motion again in 2028, India will be 3rd largest economy

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There are indications that Sonia Gandhi, the former president of Congress, would be selected to serve as the alliance's leader.

<h2>What are the voting shares and seat allocations?</h2>

In the event of INDIA going together as an alliance in the 2024 election, the most crucial issue would be the division of seats among its members, as the main national party Congress has been at loggerheads in the past with the regional parties now in INDIA.

The hardest states to predict are Kerala, where the CPM and Congress have a bitter history of conflict; Punjab, where the AAP and Congress are the two strongest and opposing parties; Uttar Pradesh, where the Samajwadi Party may demand a fair share from Congress; and West Bengal, a state where Mamata Banerjee's TMC and Congress are vying for influence. &nbsp;

If partners in the alliance adopt the strategy of preserving the seat to the party that won seats in 2019,&nbsp; and giving the rest to the party which came second in 2019, seat allocation shouldn't be a significant problem. The formula is also based on the notion of natural justice.

<h2>The numbers game:&nbsp;144 + 284 + 57&nbsp;+ 58 = 543</h2>

 
The total number of Lok Sabha seats up for election is 543.

If one were to add up the seats of all UPA members and the parties that have joined INDIA now, their total seat strength in the current Lok Sabha would be 89% of the available seats, or 485 seats.

That number is reached by adding up 144 + 284 + 57.

Let's break it down for you.

In 2019 election,&nbsp;144&nbsp;seats were won by 17 of the 26 parties of UPA , representing 27% of the Lok Sabha. Congress leads this pack with 52 seats, followed by DMK with 23, TMC with 22, and JD(U) with 16 seats.

If one were to consider all the other newly added INDIA-related parties, their total seat number adds up to&nbsp;284.

Then there are&nbsp;57&nbsp;constituencies where Congress has a natural interest to contest on its own, against regional parties that are currently in or are likely to join INDIA alliance. These include 25 Andhra Pradesh seats, six seats in Telengana and 19 seats in Odisha.

Once these 57 seats have been taken into account, and assuming they win all of them, INDIA's Lok Sabha's strength will increase by 10%.

So that's 144 + 284 + 57 = 485

There are still 58 &nbsp;seats left to be allotted, out of the total Lok Sabha strength of 543 as mentioned earlier.

Out of these, 12 of them are in Bihar, where allies like HAM, RLSP, and VIP have switched sides and joined the UPA or have ceased to exist.

The other 37 are in Uttar Pradesh.

INDIA alliance will likely support RJD in Bihar and BSP in Uttar Pradesh.

Sajjan Kumar, a political analyst, and researcher, told WION, “We saw a sort of 'mahagathbandhan' in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, yet the BJP secured greater victory. So, does coming together of different parties, bring together different voters of the society? The answer is more complicated. The entire compliance will be more than what happened in 2019. Anti-incumbency is going to be there which may lead the BJP to lose seats."

"From Mamta Banerjee to Sharad Pawar, to Nitish Kumar in Bihar, in what way they will help? These things don't add up but at the level of opposition, this is a great deal of motivation," he said.

"Opposition is also going to make a very aggressive narrative; therefore, a loss is expected in Bihar, in Bengal, and this will give a reason to encircle the BJP, &nbsp;in a tangible sense," he added.

"The opposition is going to improve its tally, and Congress may make any addition to its tally. That will be a sort of victory compared to the 2014 and 2019 elections.”

One of the questions that remain is, what if the INDIA alliance’s entire vote count is summed up? Will it be able to turn over the NDA?

As per the expert, “NDA during Atal Bihari Vajpayee, everyone had the same dilemma, of different ideologies, but the formula has been to abandon your core demand and to come up with a common mindset."

"For example, Article 370, Ram Temple, Uniform Civil Code were all rejected during the Atal govt, but that happened when the BJP came on its own.&nbsp;

"I feel that if INDIA has the numbers in its favour, then it would be easier to work out, and common things will be adopted. Any opposition, any alliance, the core anchor gets several seats way more than any other constituent parts.&nbsp;

"Congress has to be able to get the number to govern. It needs to have 80-100 seats, to claim to dictate the terms, then it will be acceptable to all will be more effective because numerically the Congress will have a psychological impact while regional parties will be at the max 30-40 seats.”

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

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India has experienced several political upheavals throughout its 77-year history, whether in the 1960s when the Jan Sangh and other parties joined forces to combat Congress, or after the state of emergency of 1976 when the opposition joined hands against the Indira Gandhi government, the unstable governments of the 1990s, the turmoil of the first BJP government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, or the most recent Maharashtra government developments.

India has experienced several political upheavals throughout its 77-year history, whether in the 1960s when the Jan Sangh and other parties joined forces to combat Congress, or after the state of emergency of 1976 when the opposition joined hands against the Indira Gandhi government, the unstable governments of the 1990s, the turmoil of the first BJP government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, or the most recent Maharashtra government developments. In all these, one thing that stayed common is the rise of a strong opposition. Now, the nation's largest opposition parties have banded together to oppose the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Also read | India: No-confidence motion defeated; PM Modi exudes 'confidence' of 2024 win, slams I.N.D.I.A. alliance On July 18, under the direction of Mallikarjun Kharge of the Congress party, the 26 opposition parties named themselves INDIA, or the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance, renaming its earlier name UPA or United Progressive Alliance. It remains to be seen whether this parliamentary coalition would defeat the BJP, the country's current ruling party, in the 2024 general elections, but they want the polls to happen earlier. With that hope, they have moved a no-confidence motion against the government. What is the recent INDIA vs NDA battle? The 26-party alliance declared in Bengaluru on July 18 with much fanfare that they had united under the banner of "INDIA '' to challenge the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Meanwhile the ruling NDA held a conference of 38 parties just when INDIA was formed. Prime Minister Modi criticised the INDIA alliance as "unholy" and "opportunistic" with the sole aim of deposing him. Social media users who leaned to the right framed the #INDIAvsNDA conflict as "Bharat versus India". The argument is that there is "much ado about nothing": parties and leaders, not alliance names, win elections. By giving voters a choice between the Narendra Modi-led NDA and other political parties, the coalition seeks to dismiss the claim that there is no option other than Modi. But will that translate into votes? Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) The Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Indian National Congress (INC) are two of the 26 opposition parties that make up the INDIA alliance. The new name was proposed by Mamata Banerjee, TMC chief and the chief minister of West Bengal at the opposition meet in Bengaluru. Also read | Rahul Gandhi's ex-colleague defends his ‘flying kiss’ act, calls it an ‘affectionate gesture’ To challenge the BJP in future elections, the coalition aims to develop a strategy and a shared agenda. National Democratic Alliance (NDA) The NDA, a seasoned coalition dedicated to pursuing both national and regional goals, is led by BJP and Prime Minister Modi. NDA has 38 members as of now, and many of them are tiny regional parties. There are key partners like the AIADMK, Lok Janshakti Party, and Shiv Sena. Modi routinely highlights and lauds the NDA's accomplishments and emphasis on the growth of the country. His administration charges the opposition with encouraging nepotism, strife, and corruption. According to Modi, A stands for the aspirations of people and regions, signifying contribution rather than coercion. N stands for New India, D for Developed Nation. UPA to INDIA transition The transition from UPA to INDIA shows the opposition's determination to put together a single front to take on the NDA in the next elections. Watch | PM Modi LIVE: When Congress brings no-confidence motion again in 2028, India will be 3rd largest economy There are indications that Sonia Gandhi, the former president of Congress, would be selected to serve as the alliance's leader. What are the voting shares and seat allocations? In the event of INDIA going together as an alliance in the 2024 election, the most crucial issue would be the division of seats among its members, as the main national party Congress has been at loggerheads in the past with the regional parties now in INDIA. The hardest states to predict are Kerala, where the CPM and Congress have a bitter history of conflict; Punjab, where the AAP and Congress are the two strongest and opposing parties; Uttar Pradesh, where the Samajwadi Party may demand a fair share from Congress; and West Bengal, a state where Mamata Banerjee's TMC and Congress are vying for influence. If partners in the alliance adopt the strategy of preserving the seat to the party that won seats in 2019, and giving the rest to the party which came second in 2019, seat allocation shouldn't be a significant problem. The formula is also based on the notion of natural justice. The numbers game: 144 + 284 + 57 + 58 = 543 The total number of Lok Sabha seats up for election is 543. If one were to add up the seats of all UPA members and the parties that have joined INDIA now, their total seat strength in the current Lok Sabha would be 89% of the available seats, or 485 seats. That number is reached by adding up 144 + 284 + 57. Let's break it down for you. In 2019 election, 144 seats were won by 17 of the 26 parties of UPA , representing 27% of the Lok Sabha. Congress leads this pack with 52 seats, followed by DMK with 23, TMC with 22, and JD(U) with 16 seats. If one were to consider all the other newly added INDIA-related parties, their total seat number adds up to 284. Then there are 57 constituencies where Congress has a natural interest to contest on its own, against regional parties that are currently in or are likely to join INDIA alliance. These include 25 Andhra Pradesh seats, six seats in Telengana and 19 seats in Odisha. Once these 57 seats have been taken into account, and assuming they win all of them, INDIA's Lok Sabha's strength will increase by 10%. So that's 144 + 284 + 57 = 485 There are still 58 seats left to be allotted, out of the total Lok Sabha strength of 543 as mentioned earlier. Out of these, 12 of them are in Bihar, where allies like HAM, RLSP, and VIP have switched sides and joined the UPA or have ceased to exist. The other 37 are in Uttar Pradesh. INDIA alliance will likely support RJD in Bihar and BSP in Uttar Pradesh. Sajjan Kumar, a political analyst, and researcher, told WION, “We saw a sort of 'mahagathbandhan' in 2019 Lok Sabha elections, yet the BJP secured greater victory. So, does coming together of different parties, bring together different voters of the society? The answer is more complicated. The entire compliance will be more than what happened in 2019. Anti-incumbency is going to be there which may lead the BJP to lose seats." "From Mamta Banerjee to Sharad Pawar, to Nitish Kumar in Bihar, in what way they will help? These things don't add up but at the level of opposition, this is a great deal of motivation," he said. "Opposition is also going to make a very aggressive narrative; therefore, a loss is expected in Bihar, in Bengal, and this will give a reason to encircle the BJP, in a tangible sense," he added. "The opposition is going to improve its tally, and Congress may make any addition to its tally. That will be a sort of victory compared to the 2014 and 2019 elections.” One of the questions that remain is, what if the INDIA alliance’s entire vote count is summed up? Will it be able to turn over the NDA? As per the expert, “NDA during Atal Bihari Vajpayee, everyone had the same dilemma, of different ideologies, but the formula has been to abandon your core demand and to come up with a common mindset." "For example, Article 370, Ram Temple, Uniform Civil Code were all rejected during the Atal govt, but that happened when the BJP came on its own. "I feel that if INDIA has the numbers in its favour, then it would be easier to work out, and common things will be adopted. Any opposition, any alliance, the core anchor gets several seats way more than any other constituent parts. "Congress has to be able to get the number to govern. It needs to have 80-100 seats, to claim to dictate the terms, then it will be acceptable to all will be more effective because numerically the Congress will have a psychological impact while regional parties will be at the max 30-40 seats.” (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

The Opposition's INDIA vs The NDA: Country’s next power struggle

Addressing the Parliament on No-Confidence motion, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Congress always supported Pakistan and they never believed in what people of Kashmir are saying rather believed people of Pakistan and those who waived Pakistani flags.

PM Modi LIVE: Congress didn't have faith in Kashmiri people but rather believed people of Pakistan

A distressing incident of an Uber driver assaulting a woman passenger for mistakenly boarding the wrong cab has come to the forefront in Bengaluru city of India's southern state of Karnataka. The incident transpired in the Bhoganahalli locality within the Bellandur police station limits on Wednesday (August 9), leaving the victim and her family shaken.

Promptly after confirming the authenticity of the incident through CCTV footage, the police have launched an investigation and are on the hunt for the accused Uber driver, as reported by IANS.&nbsp;

The victim's husband took to social media to voice his strong condemnation of the shocking incident.

The incident unfolded when the woman booked a cab to take her son to the hospital. Mistakenly, she entered another Uber cab that was parked in her vicinity.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Is Uber spying on your battery percentage?

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<h2>A terrifying ordeal</h2>

As realisation dawned that she was in the wrong cab, the passenger attempted to disembark.

However, the driver accelerated the vehicle, preventing her exit. Subsequently, the driver suddenly unleashed an assault on the woman within the premises of the apartment.

The driver's aggression didn't spare the woman's son, who came to her aid.

The entire traumatic incident was captured by the premises' CCTV camera. The swift intervention of apartment residents stopped the attack, rescuing the woman from further harm.

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Uber India: Tech shines, Humanity sucks<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/uberindia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#uberindia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bangalorepolice?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bangalorepolice</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/policecommissionerBangalore?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#policecommissionerBangalore</a> <a href="https://t.co/ijBJoYILVB">pic.twitter.com/ijBJoYILVB</a>
— Ajay Agrawal (@ajayagraw) <a href="https://twitter.com/ajayagraw/status/1689210447025864704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 9, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Police action: Investigation and footage collection</h2>

The concerned residents promptly notified the police, who swiftly initiated an investigation and obtained the crucial CCTV footage capturing the incident.

The details surrounding the incident are yet to fully emerge, as authorities delve deeper into the case.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/delhi-most-forgetful-city-in-uber-lost-and-found-index-2023-588653">Delhi India’s ‘most forgetful city’ in Uber’s ‘Lost and Found Index 2023’</a>

<h2>Allegations of charging more from people with low phone battery levels&nbsp;</h2>

A recent report from the Belgium-based newspaper Derniere Heure suggests that Uber has purportedly been raising fares for individuals with low phone battery levels.

The newspaper&nbsp;carried out an&nbsp;investigation, revealing that the fares charged to users in Brussels were linked to the remaining battery percentage on their phones. This investigation&nbsp;was initiated in response to reports from certain users who observed differing prices for identical rides. However, Uber, the prominent ride-hailing company, has contested these allegations.

&nbsp;

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A distressing incident of an Uber driver assaulting a woman passenger for mistakenly boarding the wrong cab has come to the forefront in Bengaluru city of India's southern state of Karnataka.

A distressing incident of an Uber driver assaulting a woman passenger for mistakenly boarding the wrong cab has come to the forefront in Bengaluru city of India's southern state of Karnataka. The incident transpired in the Bhoganahalli locality within the Bellandur police station limits on Wednesday (August 9), leaving the victim and her family shaken. Promptly after confirming the authenticity of the incident through CCTV footage, the police have launched an investigation and are on the hunt for the accused Uber driver, as reported by IANS. The victim's husband took to social media to voice his strong condemnation of the shocking incident. The incident unfolded when the woman booked a cab to take her son to the hospital. Mistakenly, she entered another Uber cab that was parked in her vicinity. Also watch | Gravitas: Is Uber spying on your battery percentage? A terrifying ordeal As realisation dawned that she was in the wrong cab, the passenger attempted to disembark. However, the driver accelerated the vehicle, preventing her exit. Subsequently, the driver suddenly unleashed an assault on the woman within the premises of the apartment. The driver's aggression didn't spare the woman's son, who came to her aid. The entire traumatic incident was captured by the premises' CCTV camera. The swift intervention of apartment residents stopped the attack, rescuing the woman from further harm. Uber India: Tech shines, Humanity sucks#uberindia #Bangalorepolice #policecommissionerBangalore pic.twitter.com/ijBJoYILVB — Ajay Agrawal (@ajayagraw) August 9, 2023 × Police action: Investigation and footage collection The concerned residents promptly notified the police, who swiftly initiated an investigation and obtained the crucial CCTV footage capturing the incident. The details surrounding the incident are yet to fully emerge, as authorities delve deeper into the case. Also read | Delhi India’s ‘most forgetful city’ in Uber’s ‘Lost and Found Index 2023’ Allegations of charging more from people with low phone battery levels A recent report from the Belgium-based newspaper Derniere Heure suggests that Uber has purportedly been raising fares for individuals with low phone battery levels. The newspaper carried out an investigation, revealing that the fares charged to users in Brussels were linked to the remaining battery percentage on their phones. This investigation was initiated in response to reports from certain users who observed differing prices for identical rides. However, Uber, the prominent ride-hailing company, has contested these allegations. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India: Uber ride goes wrong, driver assaults woman and son over cab mix-up

Addressing the Parliament on No-Confidence motion, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that when the Opposition brings another no-confidence motion in 2028, India will be the third largest economy by then.

PM Modi LIVE: When Congress brings no-confidence motion again in 2028, India will be 3rd largest economy

Addressing the Parliament on No-Confidence motion, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “Today data is known as second oil. A serious discussion was needed. But politics was priority for you. Several bills were related to poor, backwards, Dalits. But opposition had no interest in it. The Opposition betrayed the people”.

No-Confidence motion LIVE: PM Modi attacks Opposition in Parliament: They are betraying people| WION

The trajectory of India's development in health and well-being from 1947 to 2023&nbsp;showcases a remarkable evolution. The nation's endeavours to tackle some of the deadliest diseases and enhance the quality of life for its citizens reflect a story of transformation and growth.

<h2>A triumph in death rate reduction</h2>

One of the most remarkable accomplishments India has achieved post-independence is the substantial reduction in death rate. In 1947, the average life expectancy for an Indian citizen was a mere 32 years.

Fast forward to 2023, and this figure has risen significantly to an impressive 70.19 years. This transformation, endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), underscores the progress in human development.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india76-the-effect-of-jay-prakash-narayan-movement-623859">India Independence: The effect of Jay Prakash Narayan movement on the nation</a>

<h2>Infant mortality and child health: A striking improvement</h2>

The United Nations’ data sheds light on India's commendable strides in child health. The infant mortality rate, which stood at 145.6 per 1000 live births in 1947, has seen a remarkable improvement and dropped to 27.695 per 1000 live births in 2023. This splendid improvement underscores the nation’s commitment to ensuring a healthier start for its youngest citizens.

<h2>National initiatives and disease eradication</h2>

India's post-independence journey has been punctuated by the initiation of numerous national-level campaigns aimed at combatting various diseases. From AIDS to tuberculosis and malaria, the Indian government has championed initiatives that have not only saved lives but also demonstrated the nation's proactive approach to public health challenges.

Also watch |&nbsp;Kerala to be renamed Keralam: Why is Indian state govt making this move?

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<h2>Empowering health through national schemes</h2>

The launch of transformative schemes such as the National Health Mission and the National Rural Health Mission has bolstered India’s commitment to enhancing child and maternal health. These initiatives have played a pivotal role in ensuring accessible healthcare services and reducing health disparities across different regions of the country.

India's progress in the field of medical education is another testament to its journey of transformation. There were mere 28 medical colleges in the 1950s but the current count of 612 medical colleges speaks volumes about the nation's dedication to nurturing a skilled healthcare workforce.

India's evolution in the realm of health and development over the years serves as an inspiring example for developing nations across the globe.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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The trajectory of India's development in health and well-being from 1947 to 2023 showcases a remarkable evolution. The nation's endeavours to tackle some of the deadliest diseases and enhance the quality of life for its citizens reflect a story of transformation and growth.

The trajectory of India's development in health and well-being from 1947 to 2023 showcases a remarkable evolution. The nation's endeavours to tackle some of the deadliest diseases and enhance the quality of life for its citizens reflect a story of transformation and growth. A triumph in death rate reduction One of the most remarkable accomplishments India has achieved post-independence is the substantial reduction in death rate. In 1947, the average life expectancy for an Indian citizen was a mere 32 years. Fast forward to 2023, and this figure has risen significantly to an impressive 70.19 years. This transformation, endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), underscores the progress in human development. Also read | India Independence: The effect of Jay Prakash Narayan movement on the nation Infant mortality and child health: A striking improvement The United Nations’ data sheds light on India's commendable strides in child health. The infant mortality rate, which stood at 145.6 per 1000 live births in 1947, has seen a remarkable improvement and dropped to 27.695 per 1000 live births in 2023. This splendid improvement underscores the nation’s commitment to ensuring a healthier start for its youngest citizens. National initiatives and disease eradication India's post-independence journey has been punctuated by the initiation of numerous national-level campaigns aimed at combatting various diseases. From AIDS to tuberculosis and malaria, the Indian government has championed initiatives that have not only saved lives but also demonstrated the nation's proactive approach to public health challenges. Also watch | Kerala to be renamed Keralam: Why is Indian state govt making this move? Empowering health through national schemes The launch of transformative schemes such as the National Health Mission and the National Rural Health Mission has bolstered India’s commitment to enhancing child and maternal health. These initiatives have played a pivotal role in ensuring accessible healthcare services and reducing health disparities across different regions of the country. India's progress in the field of medical education is another testament to its journey of transformation. There were mere 28 medical colleges in the 1950s but the current count of 612 medical colleges speaks volumes about the nation's dedication to nurturing a skilled healthcare workforce. India's evolution in the realm of health and development over the years serves as an inspiring example for developing nations across the globe. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

India Independence | Evolution in health and development: A journey from 1947 to 2023

Mental health has been a burning issue in India and the conversations around it are newfound but the lockdown during the pandemic triggered a wider need to have open conversations around mental health. Reports from a recent study have shed light on the need for Indians particularly the youth to seek help.

Study reveals, 90% of Indian youth does not seek help for mental health issues

India's former Defence Chiefs are in Taiwan for the Ketagalan forum. This move is being seen as a part of India's strategy to counter China in the Indo-Pacific. Molly Gambhir brings you a report.

Gravitas: India counters China in the Indo-Pacific

Days after Lok Sabha gave its approval to the digital personal data protection bill, 2023, on Wednesday (August 9) Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Indian parliament, also passed the bill.&nbsp;

The legislation, in its latest form, maintains the provisions from the initial version introduced last November, including aspects that were raised as concerns by privacy specialists, like exceptions for the central authority. The revised version of the proposed law has additionally granted the central government authority over virtual censorship.

This marks India's second attempt at developing privacy-oriented legislation, following the government's consideration and abandonment of at least three prior drafts of data protection laws.

The next step involves the Bill's approval by President Droupadi Murmu before&nbsp;it can be enacted into law.

The bill, aimed at regulating and safeguarding the use of personal data, was presented by Union Communications, Electronics, and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

However, the bill's introduction was met with strong opposition from leaders of the Opposition, who argued that it infringes upon the fundamental right to privacy.

The debate surrounding the bill revolved around concerns raised by the Opposition, including the demand that the bill undergo thorough scrutiny by the standing committee, citing the withdrawal of a previous data protection bill by the government last year.

Vaishnaw defended the bill, asserting that it is not a money bill and that all concerns raised by the Opposition would be addressed in the subsequent debate.

Watch this report

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<h2>Government's perspective: Safeguarding citizens' rights</h2>

While the Opposition voiced its concerns, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, took to X (previously Twitter), to emphasise the bill's significance.

He commended the bill as a crucial step towards realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of establishing global-standard cyber laws for India's thriving digital economy.

Chandrasekhar highlighted that extensive consultations with stakeholders, including citizens, have contributed to the bill's development. He underlined that the bill, once enacted, would ensure citizens' rights, foster innovation, and enable legitimate government access in scenarios like national security threats and emergencies, such as pandemics or earthquakes.

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What is the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill ? 
 
➡️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DPDPBill?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DPDPBill</a> introduced in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Parliament?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Parliament</a> is a very significant milestone in PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a> ji's vision of Global Standard Cyber Laws for India's $1T <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DigitalEconomy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DigitalEconomy</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiaTechade?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiaTechade</a> 
 
➡️ <a href="https://twitter.com/GoI_MeitY?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GoI_MeitY</a> has developed this bill after… <a href="https://t.co/a8tHXJl537">pic.twitter.com/a8tHXJl537</a>
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@Rajeev_GoI) <a href="https://twitter.com/Rajeev_GoI/status/1687033454746341376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 3, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/data-protection-bill-is-much-needed-in-our-current-scenario-says-rahul-matthan-partner-trilegal-538748">"Data Protection Bill is much needed in our current scenario", says Rahul Matthan, Partner, Trilegal</a>

<h2>Understanding the Digital Personal Data Protection&nbsp;Bill</h2>

The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill is a comprehensive legislative framework designed to delineate the rights and responsibilities of both citizens, referred to as "Digital Nagriks," and data fiduciaries – entities collecting and using personal data.

The bill is founded upon six fundamental principles aimed at governing the data economy.

The first principle underscores that the collection and utilisation of personal data must be lawful, secure against breaches, and transparent.

The second principle emphasises that data collection activities must have a legal purpose, and the collected data should be safeguarded until that purpose is fulfilled.

The third principle advocates for data minimisation, asserting that only pertinent information should be collected, and data usage should adhere to predefined objectives.

The fourth and fifth principles pertain to data protection, accountability, and accuracy. The final principle dictates the protocols for reporting data breaches, stipulating a fair and transparent process to inform Data Protection Boards of such incidents.

<h2>Key provisions and proposals of the DPDP Bill</h2>

The DPDP Bill introduces several significant provisions to ensure data protection, privacy, and accountability:

<ol>
	<li>
	Consent criteria: The bill mandates that processing personal data requires the explicit and informed consent of the individual, given freely and unambiguously. While consent remains central, a clause of deemed consent addresses situations where explicit consent is not mandatory.
	</li>
	<li>
	Data localisation and cross-border transfer: The bill permits cross-border data flow to specific countries and territories, accompanied by relaxed data localisation requirements, enabling greater flexibility in data handling.
	</li>
	<li>
	Data retention: A Data Protection Board, designed to be digitally proficient, will be established to oversee compliance and impose penalties. Data fiduciaries can retain personal data for business purposes even beyond the initial collection purpose.
	</li>
	<li>
	Penalties for data breaches: In cases of data breaches, the bill proposes substantial penalties. Failure to report a breach to the Data Protection Board and affected individuals could lead to a penalty of ₹200 crore (US$2,41,53,560).&nbsp;Additionally, data fiduciaries or processors failing to ensure reasonable security safeguards could face penalties up to ₹250 crore (US$3,01,90,875).&nbsp;
	</li>
	<li>
	Board-mandated penalties: The Board holds the authority to impose penalties outlined in Schedule 1 of the bill, with each instance not exceeding ₹500 crore (US$6,03,81,750), if non-compliance by an entity is deemed significant.
	</li>
</ol>

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/india-imposes-anti-dumping-duty-on-optical-fibre-imports-from-china-korea-and-indonesia-622237">India imposes anti-dumping duty on optical fibre imports&nbsp;from China, Korea and Indonesia&nbsp;</a>

<h2>Scope and applicability of the DPDP Bill</h2>

The DPDP Bill's scope encompasses the processing of 'Digital Personal Data' within India's borders. It excludes non-personal data and data in non-digital formats from its purview.

The bill applies to digital personal data processing within India and abroad, particularly in cases of profiling or providing goods and services to Indian data subjects.

However, it does not extend to non-automated processing, processing for personal purposes by individuals, or personal data in records over a century old.

The introduction of the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, stands as a significant development in India's journey towards a robust digital economy while safeguarding citizens' privacy and data rights.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Days after Lok Sabha gave its approval to the digital personal data protection bill, 2023, on Wednesday (August 9) Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Indian parliament, also passed the bill.

Days after Lok Sabha gave its approval to the digital personal data protection bill, 2023, on Wednesday (August 9) Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Indian parliament, also passed the bill. The legislation, in its latest form, maintains the provisions from the initial version introduced last November, including aspects that were raised as concerns by privacy specialists, like exceptions for the central authority. The revised version of the proposed law has additionally granted the central government authority over virtual censorship. This marks India's second attempt at developing privacy-oriented legislation, following the government's consideration and abandonment of at least three prior drafts of data protection laws. The next step involves the Bill's approval by President Droupadi Murmu before it can be enacted into law. The bill, aimed at regulating and safeguarding the use of personal data, was presented by Union Communications, Electronics, and Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. However, the bill's introduction was met with strong opposition from leaders of the Opposition, who argued that it infringes upon the fundamental right to privacy. The debate surrounding the bill revolved around concerns raised by the Opposition, including the demand that the bill undergo thorough scrutiny by the standing committee, citing the withdrawal of a previous data protection bill by the government last year. Vaishnaw defended the bill, asserting that it is not a money bill and that all concerns raised by the Opposition would be addressed in the subsequent debate. Watch this report Government's perspective: Safeguarding citizens' rights While the Opposition voiced its concerns, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, took to X (previously Twitter), to emphasise the bill's significance. He commended the bill as a crucial step towards realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of establishing global-standard cyber laws for India's thriving digital economy. Chandrasekhar highlighted that extensive consultations with stakeholders, including citizens, have contributed to the bill's development. He underlined that the bill, once enacted, would ensure citizens' rights, foster innovation, and enable legitimate government access in scenarios like national security threats and emergencies, such as pandemics or earthquakes. What is the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill ? ➡️ #DPDPBill introduced in #Parliament is a very significant milestone in PM @narendramodi ji's vision of Global Standard Cyber Laws for India's $1T #DigitalEconomy & #IndiaTechade ➡️ @GoI_MeitY has developed this bill after… pic.twitter.com/a8tHXJl537 — Rajeev Chandrasekhar 🇮🇳 (@Rajeev_GoI) August 3, 2023 × Also read | "Data Protection Bill is much needed in our current scenario", says Rahul Matthan, Partner, Trilegal Understanding the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Bill is a comprehensive legislative framework designed to delineate the rights and responsibilities of both citizens, referred to as "Digital Nagriks," and data fiduciaries – entities collecting and using personal data. The bill is founded upon six fundamental principles aimed at governing the data economy. The first principle underscores that the collection and utilisation of personal data must be lawful, secure against breaches, and transparent. The second principle emphasises that data collection activities must have a legal purpose, and the collected data should be safeguarded until that purpose is fulfilled. The third principle advocates for data minimisation, asserting that only pertinent information should be collected, and data usage should adhere to predefined objectives. The fourth and fifth principles pertain to data protection, accountability, and accuracy. The final principle dictates the protocols for reporting data breaches, stipulating a fair and transparent process to inform Data Protection Boards of such incidents. Key provisions and proposals of the DPDP Bill The DPDP Bill introduces several significant provisions to ensure data protection, privacy, and accountability: Consent criteria: The bill mandates that processing personal data requires the explicit and informed consent of the individual, given freely and unambiguously. While consent remains central, a clause of deemed consent addresses situations where explicit consent is not mandatory. Data localisation and cross-border transfer: The bill permits cross-border data flow to specific countries and territories, accompanied by relaxed data localisation requirements, enabling greater flexibility in data handling. Data retention: A Data Protection Board, designed to be digitally proficient, will be established to oversee compliance and impose penalties. Data fiduciaries can retain personal data for business purposes even beyond the initial collection purpose. Penalties for data breaches: In cases of data breaches, the bill proposes substantial penalties. Failure to report a breach to the Data Protection Board and affected individuals could lead to a penalty of ₹200 crore (US$2,41,53,560). Additionally, data fiduciaries or processors failing to ensure reasonable security safeguards could face penalties up to ₹250 crore (US$3,01,90,875). Board-mandated penalties: The Board holds the authority to impose penalties outlined in Schedule 1 of the bill, with each instance not exceeding ₹500 crore (US$6,03,81,750), if non-compliance by an entity is deemed significant. Also read | India imposes anti-dumping duty on optical fibre imports from China, Korea and Indonesia Scope and applicability of the DPDP Bill The DPDP Bill's scope encompasses the processing of 'Digital Personal Data' within India's borders. It excludes non-personal data and data in non-digital formats from its purview. The bill applies to digital personal data processing within India and abroad, particularly in cases of profiling or providing goods and services to Indian data subjects. However, it does not extend to non-automated processing, processing for personal purposes by individuals, or personal data in records over a century old. The introduction of the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, stands as a significant development in India's journey towards a robust digital economy while safeguarding citizens' privacy and data rights. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Explained | Rajya Sabha passes Digital Personal Data Protection Bill. All you need to know

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