Author: News Desk
The first phase of Tata Consultancy Services’ (TCS) Digital Hub, one of India’s largest technology facilities focusing on next-generation fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, aerospace, and advanced research, is set to be inaugurated next month at Technopark Phase IV. The exact date will be confirmed soon by the state government, officials said. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is expected to preside over the inauguration, which will bring together industry leaders and policymakers. Spanning around 94 acres within the 389-acre Phase IV campus, the hub is nearing completion under the construction leadership of Tata Projects Ltd. The first phase alone will cover…
Sarla Aviation has signed an agreement with the Andhra Pradesh government to build a new manufacturing facility in Anantapur district to produce eVTOLs, or electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The Bengaluru-based startup recently tested a flying prototype successfully, moving closer to making India’s first flying taxis a reality. The new plant will span 500 acres with an investment of ₹1,300 crore and is expected to have the capacity to produce 1,000 electric air taxis annually. Once operational, it will be the world’s largest eVTOL manufacturing facility. Andhra Pradesh will become the first state in India to manufacture indigenous electric…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a two-hour meeting with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in New Delhi, underscoring the growing strategic weight of India–UAE ties despite the short duration of the visit. The talks took place against the backdrop of rising instability in the Middle East and focused on trade, energy security, defence cooperation and regional developments. A major outcome of the meeting was the signing of a $3 billion long-term liquefied natural gas agreement, under which ADNOC Gas will supply 0.5 million metric tonnes of LNG annually to India for ten years. With this…
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is set to seek the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approval for the construction of six new submarines under India’s Project 75, according to senior defence officials. This move aims to boost the Indian Navy’s underwater combat strength amid evolving security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. Project 75 is part of India’s broader strategy to modernise its submarine fleet with advanced conventional submarines built with enhanced stealth, sensors and weapon systems. The new vessels are expected to feature air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems, helping them remain submerged for longer durations without surfacing, vastly improving their tactical effectiveness. The additional submarines would be in addition to the existing P75…
Cancelling tickets for the upcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper trains is expected to become a costlier affair, as Indian Railways plans to impose steeper cancellation charges compared to conventional long-distance trains. The move is aimed at discouraging last-minute ticket cancellations and ensuring better utilisation of high-demand seats on premium services. Officials said the Vande Bharat Sleeper service, designed for long-haul overnight travel with modern amenities, involves significantly higher operational and maintenance costs. As a result, stricter refund norms are being considered to protect revenue and maintain service efficiency. Under the proposed framework, passengers cancelling tickets closer to the departure time may face higher deductions, similar to premium…
The President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, arrived in India on January 19 for an official visit, marking another milestone in the rapidly expanding India–UAE strategic partnership. The visit reflects the growing depth of bilateral ties across trade, investment, defence, energy and people-to-people engagement. During his visit, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed is scheduled to hold high-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior Indian leaders, focusing on strengthening cooperation in key areas such as energy security, renewable energy, infrastructure development, fintech, defence collaboration and regional stability. The two sides are also expected to review progress under the Comprehensive Economic…
Plans are underway for Nagpur in Maharashtra to become a key production centre for Dassault Rafale fighter jets, marking a major milestone in India’s defence manufacturing and aerospace ambitions. Under proposals being discussed between French aerospace major Dassault Aviation and Indian partners, the city could host a production facility capable of manufacturing up to 24 Rafale jets annually, making it one of the company’s main global hubs outside France. The move would expand upon the existing Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) facility in the MIHAN Special Economic Zone, which already produces critical components for Rafale and Falcon aircraft. The proposed production line in Nagpur is expected to centralise final assembly as…
India is on track to surpass the United States and become the second-largest solar energy market in the world by 2026, according to industry data and market analysts. Rapid deployment of solar power capacity, supportive government policies, declining solar equipment costs and increased investment are driving this surge. India’s consistent push toward renewable energy targets is positioning it as a global leader in solar growth behind China. The country’s solar energy expansion has been propelled by large-scale utility solar plants, ambitious renewable purchase obligations for distribution companies and increased participation by corporate and residential buyers. India’s geographical advantage, abundant sunlight and investment…
The Government of India has received an invitation from the U.S. President Donald Trump to join the proposed “Board of Peace” initiative focused on Gaza, according to reports citing official and diplomatic sources. The invitation was conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by U.S. Ambassador Sergio Gor, highlighting Washington’s interest in involving key global partners in efforts to support stability and peace in the region. Trump’s concept for the Board of Peace forms part of a broader diplomatic push linked to a 20-point ceasefire and reconstruction roadmap for Gaza, which has seen endorsement through a U.N. Security Council resolution. The proposed board is envisaged as an international body comprising world leaders and…
InterGlobe Aviation’s IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, has indicated that it will soon clarify whether it can operate around 2,000 flights daily, a significant milestone that would reflect the carrier’s operational scale amid industry growth and demand. The airline is evaluating its network capacity, aircraft availability and crew resources before making a formal announcement, according to company executives. IndiGo has been steadily expanding its flight operations domestically and internationally, leveraging a large fleet of Airbus A320 family aircraft to serve a wide range of destinations across India and abroad. Achieving an average of 2,000 daily flights would mark a new operational…