digital citizenship

The Union home ministry has streamlined the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card process, enabling online applications for both new registrations and renunciations. Minors can now be included, provided they don't hold foreign passports concurrently with an Indian one. This digital shift eliminates the need for duplicate certificates, offering a more efficient system for applicants.

Grok, the AI chatbot, has sparked renewed debate by hypothetically stating it would vote for Prime Minister Narendra Modi if it were an Indian citizen. The chatbot cited economic growth, infrastructure, and digital transformation as reasons for its preference, contrasting this with Rahul Gandhi's focus on welfare critiques.

What began in 2011 as a movement against the Left Front’s stagnation had, by 2026, come full circle. Mamata Banerjee had once represented disruption and hope. Over time, her regime became associated with a different vocabulary. Words like “cut money”, “syndicate control”, and “tolabazi” became shorthand for everyday governance failures. This was not merely opposition rhetoric, it was a lived experience. From construction projects to small household repairs, local syndicates were perceived to control economic activity.

Every week TOI+ subscribers send in legal questions and our panel of leading experts offers well-considered, practical, and actionable opinions on every query. From property disputes to inheritance matters, divorce queries to income tax issues, My Lawyer connects you directly with experts you can trust

The Iranian consulate in Hyderabad has launched a meme war against Donald Trump, satirizing his recent remarks calling India and China "hellholes." The consulate's X handle responded by calling Trump's comments racist and highlighting Iran's rich civilization.

Fresh protests erupted in Noida over salary hikes, while police revealed social media accounts from Pakistan allegedly fueled earlier labor unrest. Investigations point to a coordinated effort involving digital misinformation and on-ground mobilization by groups like Mazdoor Bigul Dasta, with several arrests made and more accused sought.

Noida police claim two Pakistan-operated X accounts, Anushi Tiwari and Meer Ilyas Inc, fanned violence during a labour protest by spreading false death claims. Authorities are also investigating the 'Mazdoor Bigul Dasta' group for allegedly mobilizing and inciting workers, with three key individuals identified and two arrested.

As AI integrates into daily life, preserving human sensitivity is paramount. Experts emphasise that empathy, moral judgment and emotional understanding, developed through lived experience, are crucial. Parents and educators must nurture these uniquely human qualities alongside technological literacy, ensuring children become resilient, ethical and well-rounded individuals prepared for a digital future.

Congress leader Pawan Khera’s allegations that Himanta Biswa Sarma’s wife, Riniki, possesses multiple passports and undisclosed foreign assets snowballed into a major political row

An appellate tribunal ruled that Motab Shaikh and Motab Herul are the same person, accepting his Aadhaar card as proof of identity after the Election Commission failed to provide reasons for his exclusion. The tribunal noted discrepancies in voter lists and relied on supporting documents like Aadhaar, passport, and driving license to establish his identity.

An appellate tribunal ruled Motab Shaikh and Motab Herul are the same person, accepting his Aadhaar card as proof of identity after the Election Commission failed to provide reasons for his exclusion. The tribunal noted discrepancies in voter lists and relied on supporting documents like Aadhaar, passport, and driving license to establish his identity.

The political climate in Assam has heated up as Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused Congress leaders Pawan Khera and Gaurav Gogoi of presenting forged travel documents sourced from a Pakistani broadcaster during a recent press conference. Together with his wife, Sarma has filed a formal complaint, arguing that the passports were doctored.

Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) has unveiled its assembly poll manifesto, pledging full implementation of the Assam Accord, transparent NRC, and secure borders. The party aims for economic revival through fiscal reforms and support for MSMEs, agriculture, and the tea industry. They also promise enhanced health, education, job opportunities, and women's safety.

Halter, a New Zealand firm, has secured $220 million in funding. This investment values the company at $2 billion. Halter's AI cow collars help farmers manage herds and monitor animal health. The company plans to expand its technology across New Zealand, Australia, and the US. Future growth includes entering markets like Ireland and the UK.

Chhattisgarh has enacted a stringent anti-conversion bill, mandating public disclosure and official verification of proposed religious changes. The legislation imposes severe penalties, including life imprisonment for illegal mass conversions and a minimum 10-year jail term for converting vulnerable groups. This new law replaces the 1968 Act, aiming to curb conversions through force, coercion, or allurements.

A 20-year-old, Daniel Jackson, claims to have founded the Free Republic of Verdis on a disputed strip along the Danube River between Croatia and Serbia. Arguing the land is terra nullius, he built an online micronation with citizens and passports. Croatian authorities removed him after a 2023 settlement attempt, leaving him running the project from exile in the United Kingdom.

No city, no matter how go-go and glamorous, can buy its way out of the forces of history and geography. Any serious disruption — a hurricane, a wildfire, a pandemic, a terrorist attack, a popular uprising, a sudden change in tax law — can send the mobile and the unattached off seeking a new safe haven

Every week TOI+ subscribers send in legal questions and our panel of leading experts offers well-considered, practical, and actionable opinions on every query. From property disputes to inheritance matters, divorce queries to income tax issues, My Lawyer connects you directly with experts you can trust

India's digital public infrastructure is reshaping citizen interaction and the media landscape. The DNPA Conclave 2026 will address how news organizations can navigate this evolving digital citizenship, ensuring trust and inclusion in a world of large-scale public technology and information overload.

At the DNPA Conclave 2026, media leaders, tech experts, and policymakers emphasized the critical role of technology and verified content in India's evolving digital news ecosystem. Discussions highlighted how AI, regulatory shifts, and India's digital public infrastructure are redefining news organizations' responsibilities towards credibility, inclusion, and accessibility for a resilient future.

Around 22000 schools have been given the book that addresses issues from cyberbullying to online frauds, digital etiquette and concepts of digital citizenship