Author: News Desk

The Indian Navy has received a significant boost with the delivery of three indigenously built vessels, INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak, and INS Agray, from Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. The three ships serve different operational roles, strengthening multiple aspects of naval capability. INS Dunagiri is a stealth frigate designed for advanced combat missions, INS Sanshodhak is a large survey vessel used for hydrographic and oceanographic operations, and INS Agray is an anti-submarine warfare craft built for coastal defence and underwater threat detection. All three vessels have been built with a high level of indigenous content under different naval projects, reflecting India’s growing shipbuilding ecosystem and focus…

Aviation turbine fuel (ATF), commonly known as jet fuel, has crossed the ₹2 lakh per kilolitre mark for the first time in India, marking a historic surge in fuel prices. In Delhi, ATF prices have risen sharply to around ₹2,07,341 per kilolitre, more than doubling from previous levels, reflecting a steep increase of over 100%. The surge has been largely driven by rising global crude oil prices, linked to escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia, which have disrupted supply chains and pushed energy costs higher. Fuel accounts for nearly 40% of an airline’s operating costs, and this sharp increase is expected to significantly impact…

US-based technology company Oracle has reportedly laid off approximately 12,000 employees in India, marking one of the largest job cuts in the country’s tech sector in recent times. The layoffs are part of a broader global restructuring exercise, with reports suggesting that the company has cut around 30,000 jobs worldwide as it looks to streamline operations. According to affected employees and sources, another round of layoffs could take place within a month, indicating that the downsizing process is not yet complete. Employees were informed about the decision through internal communication, with the company citing organisational changes and redundancy of roles as key reasons for…

US President Donald Trump has said that the United States could end its military involvement in Iran within the next two to three weeks, suggesting that the conflict may be nearing its conclusion. Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump stated that there would be “no reason” to continue operations once key objectives are achieved, indicating confidence that US forces have largely met their goals. He also signalled that the withdrawal could happen regardless of whether a formal agreement is reached with Iran, marking a shift away from prolonged diplomatic negotiations. The ongoing conflict, which has had significant geopolitical…

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved a record ₹6.73 lakh crore worth of defence procurement plans for FY25-26, marking the highest ever in a financial year. This includes 55 Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) proposals aimed at boosting air power, enhancing indigenous production, and supporting long-term modernisation across the Army, Air Force, and Coast Guard. Key approvals cover S-400 missile systems, 155mm Dhanush howitzers, transport aircraft to replace ageing fleets, remotely piloted strike aircraft, Su-30 engine overhauls, and heavy-duty air cushion vehicles for the Coast Guard. The DAC also approved major contracts with HAL for 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A and 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand, with high indigenous content and…

India and Russia are collaborating on an upgraded version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, aiming to significantly extend its strike range to around 800 kilometres. The new variant marks a major leap from the currently deployed BrahMos missiles, which typically have a strike range of over 450 km, effectively doubling India’s long-range precision strike capability. The missile is being developed as part of the long-standing Indo-Russian joint venture, combining India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya. This extended-range BrahMos is expected to allow Indian forces to carry out deep stand-off strikes, hitting targets far inside enemy territory without…

Former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has invested in Kuku, an AI-driven, mobile-first storytelling platform, the company announced on March 30, without revealing financial details. Dhoni will also serve as the brand ambassador for Kuku’s microdrama app, Kuku TV. Founded in 2018 by Lal Chand Bisu, Vikas Goyal, and Vinod Kumar Meena, Kuku operates multiple storytelling apps including Kuku TV (microdramas), Kuku FM (audio content), and Guru (edutainment). The company recently expanded into theatrical releases with its first Hindi feature film, Indian Institute of Zombies (IIZ). Dhoni said he is drawn to Kuku’s founders, who come from small towns like his, and…

NEOM’s Trojena Mountains project, which includes the construction of artificial lakes at 2,000 meters elevation and stretching 2.8 kilometres, has hit a pause. Originally, three dams were planned to create a continuous reservoir, but as of March 2026, NEOM has issued a “termination for convenience” to the lead contractors, halting the main dam construction at 30% completion. The Winter 2029 Asian Games, initially scheduled for Trojena, have been moved to Almaty, Kazakhstan. The Olympic Council of Asia cited delays in the original construction schedule and the need to recalibrate NEOM’s infrastructure priorities, including the main road connecting Baraka and Trojena.…

Building on the success of Vande Bharat passenger trains, Indian Railways is preparing to launch high-speed freight services using Vande Bharat-based freight trains. According to sources, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai will roll out the first prototype of the Vande Bharat Freight EMU for testing this week. The prototype will undergo thorough evaluations by the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO) before entering service. Tests will include oscillation checks, emergency braking distance assessments, and full-load performance trials. Key Specifications of Vande Bharat Freight Trains The 16-car EMU rake is designed to transport up to 264 tonnes of palletised…

Over 3 million officials in India will spend the next year counting every person in the country, undertaking the world’s largest population survey, which was delayed in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally scheduled for 2021, the census will begin on April 1, with a brief window for citizens to register online, the government said on Monday. The census will then proceed in two physical phases. The first phase will record houses and housing conditions, while the second will document inhabitants and their social and economic details, Census Commissioner Mritunjay Kumar Narayan told reporters. With a population exceeding 1.4…