Author: News Desk
In a historic first, India has sent scientific research equipment directly to Antarctica via air. On October 2, 2025, a heavy-duty Russian cargo plane, the IL-76, departed from Manohar International Airport, Goa, carrying 18 tons of scientific gear, medicines, provisions, and essentials for Indian researchers at the Bharati and Maitri research stations. The mission was facilitated by Dronning Maud Land Air Network (DROMLAN), marking the first-ever direct air cargo link between India and Antarctica. Why Air Cargo Was Needed Since 1981, India has conducted Antarctic research, but equipment and teams were previously sent by ship, often operated by other nations. Sea routes were chosen for operational cost and load capacity,…
The partial U.S. government shutdown has entered its fifth day, with no breakthrough in negotiations between the White House and congressional Democrats. The shutdown began on October 1, the start of the federal fiscal year 2026, after Senate Democrats rejected a short-term funding measure intended to keep agencies open through November 21. Threat of Federal Layoffs White House National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett warned that mass federal layoffs could follow if talks fail. Speaking on CNN’s State of the Union, Hassett said the administration is preparing to act but hopes layoffs can be avoided. President Donald Trump confirmed the layoffs are “taking place right now,” signaling…
Rajinder Singh Bhatia, chairman of Kalyani Strategic Systems (Bharat Forge’s defence subsidiary) and president of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers, warns that India’s seven-year defence procurement cycles risk acquiring outdated systems. “For critical and fast-changing platforms, procurement cycles should be 18 to 24 months,” he says. Reforms Have Boosted the Private Sector A decade ago, private companies faced bureaucratic hurdles in defence production. Trials often had to be conducted abroad. Reforms under Manohar Parrikar changed this, allowing domestic testing. By 2019, the Defence Acquisition Council had approved 150 guns, with production for the Indian Army starting in 2025. While these reforms have helped,…
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is rolling out a new initiative to make highway travel safer and more transparent. QR Code Sign Boards will soon appear across major highway stretches, giving drivers instant access to key information about the roads they’re on. This move is part of NHAI’s broader ‘Ease of Commuting’ goal and fits into the government’s push for smarter, technology-driven infrastructure. What the QR Boards Offer The new sign boards feature vertical QR codes that can be scanned with any smartphone. A quick scan gives commuters real-time details about the highway section they’re on, including: Beyond basic project…
India is preparing for a historic moment this December. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will send its first humanoid robot, Vyommitra, into space — a crucial step toward sending humans on future missions. Meet Vyommitra — India’s ‘Friend in Space’ Vyommitra is a semi-humanoid robot developed by ISRO to assist in human space missions under the Gaganyaan programme, India’s first crewed spaceflight project. The name comes from Sanskrit: Vyoma means space, and Mitra means friend — together, “friend in space.” Unveiled in 2020, Vyommitra is designed not as a dummy but as an intelligent companion. With expressive facial features, speech abilities, and advanced sensors, she can…
Cellupro Green Pvt Ltd, a women-led startup supported by the KSUM WE Start Pre-Incubation Programme, is gaining attention for producing high-quality, sustainable cellulose pulp that can be used in cosmetics, paper products, and research applications. Innovative Use of Agro-Waste The company converts agricultural residues such as rice straw, sugarcane bagasse, jackfruit peel, and pineapple straw into cellulose pulp. This pulp serves as a raw material for a wide range of products including creams, lotions, face masks, sunscreens, tissues, sanitary napkins, eco-friendly packaging, and bio-composites. Women Entrepreneurship and Leadership Dr. Reshmy Rajasekharan, founder of Cellupro Green, is the first woman entrepreneur in Kerala to establish a production unit for…
M3M and Hurun India released the 14th edition of the M3M Hurun India Rich List 2025, showcasing the wealthiest Indians worldwide. This year, 1,687 individuals from 91 cities made the list with fortunes exceeding ₹1,000 crore. Among them, 1,004 saw their wealth rise or remain steady, including 284 newcomers, while 643 experienced a decline. India now has 358 billionaires, up 24 from last year, with the pharmaceutical sector leading the rankings with 137 entries. Global Presence of Indian Wealth The list includes 1,586 individuals residing in India, followed by 48 in the USA, 22 in the UAE, and smaller numbers…
Indian Railways is rapidly becoming a global supplier of railway equipment, including bogies, coaches, locomotives, and propulsion systems, under the “Make in India, Make for the World” initiative, according to the Railway Ministry. The ministry highlighted that exports now span more than 16 countries, reflecting India’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities. Export Highlights The ministry noted several key international shipments: Milestone Export from Marhowra In June, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the first locomotive exported from the Marhowra Locomotive Manufacturing Plant in Bihar to the Republic of Guinea. So far, six locomotives from Marhowra have been successfully exported, and a second strategic order has been secured, totaling approximately 150 Evolution Series locomotives for…
Air India Bolsters Delhi–London Route Air India has announced an upgrade to its Delhi (DEL) – London Heathrow (LHR) route, adding a fourth daily flight for the Northern Winter 2025/26 season (26 October 2025 to 28 March 2026). Previously slated for three daily services, the fourth frequency reflects strong passenger demand on this premium international corridor. Fleet Deployment & Mix The additional service will be served using a combination of Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. This mix allows Air India to balance capacity, fuel efficiency, and passenger comfort on one of its most competitive long-haul routes. Schedule Highlights The revamped schedule includes four departures daily from…
Across India, floating solar panels are transforming how renewable energy is produced and delivered to homes. Instead of occupying precious land, these solar arrays are mounted on buoyant platforms and released into water bodies—lakes, reservoirs, and long-forgotten industrial ponds. By shifting solar panels to water, India bypasses the challenges of land scarcity while opening up new frontiers for clean energy. This floating technology delivers compelling dual benefits. First, by covering the water’s surface, the solar panels significantly reduce evaporation, an advantage in water-stressed regions. At NTPC’s Ramagundam floating solar plant in Telangana, a project spanning 500 acre. The panels are expected to save nearly…