Techpana - News Feed

The Security Printing Center has dismissed claims that the QR code on smart driving licenses is flawed, stating that a viral video showing it redirecting to a shopping site is due to a misunderstanding and lack of digital literacy. According to Niraj Dahal, the center asserts that the QR codes function as designed, with only an Application ID publicly accessible on the front QR and the carrier's name on the back QR, while sensitive information remains encrypted.

The National AI Hackathon 2026, organized by Kode Dristi Software Pvt. Ltd., is scheduled for June 6-7 in Lalitpur, Nepal, aiming to promote AI adoption and innovation. The event will include a 32-hour hackathon for developers and a post-event investor pitching session for promising AI-based projects.

FinTech International Pvt. Ltd. has introduced a smart card and offline QR-based digital fare payment system for Nepal's public transport sector to modernize operations and reduce fare disputes. The system uses validator machines with GPS and geo-fencing, allowing passengers to tap in and tap out, with fares deducted based on distance traveled. According to CEO Amit Shrestha, the initiative aims to bring technological advancement to a sector still reliant on traditional cash payments.

Tele Digital Services Pvt. Ltd., in partnership with Meta, organized 'The Converference' in Kathmandu to introduce the WhatsApp Business API to Nepali businesses. The event highlighted the potential of conversational commerce for customer engagement, sales, and retention, with Meta recognizing Nepal as a key market for this technology.

Chiranjibi Adhikari has officially taken over as the acting president of the Federation of Computer Association Nepal (CAN Federation) following the resignation of Sunaina Ghimire Pandey. Adhikari, a cybersecurity expert, has outlined a commitment to transforming Nepal into a global digital powerhouse by prioritizing domestic software, advocating for IT industry recognition, and implementing AI governance.

Rastriya Swatantra Party MP Krishna Hari Budhathoki has called on the government to immediately reconsider the decision to implement a two-day weekend in the education and health sectors. Budhathoki stated in the House of Representatives that the current arrangement is impractical and has led to complaints regarding curriculum completion and access to emergency health services.

The US Embassy in Nepal organized an AI Innovation Lab Bootcamp for emerging innovators, while the Lumbini Provincial Government has prioritized AI skill development and digital transformation in its upcoming fiscal year policy. Both initiatives aim to enhance technological skills, foster entrepreneurship, and improve public services through digital solutions.

Police in Morang district have arrested Dhakla Bahadur Theeng, a 61-year-old man, for his alleged involvement in a gang that defrauds elderly individuals using fake gold as bait. The gang specifically targets senior citizens in crowded areas and public transport, luring them with yellow metal that appears to be gold before snatching their real jewelry. Theeng is believed to be part of an organized crime group operating across eastern Nepal.