Author: News Desk

First Spacewalk in Months NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, along with Nick Hague, ventured outside the International Space Station (ISS) on January 16, 2025. This marked her first spacewalk since arriving at the station more than seven months ago. The duo worked on overdue repairs while the ISS orbited 420 km above Turkmenistan. Extended Mission Challenges Originally scheduled for a weeklong test flight aboard Boeing’s Starliner capsule in June 2024, their mission was prolonged due to technical issues. NASA eventually returned the Starliner to Earth without crew, and SpaceX delays further extended Williams and Wilmore’s stay. Their return is now planned…

India’s entrepreneurial landscape has witnessed remarkable growth, with several startups achieving significant valuations. These ventures leverage innovative technologies and business models to address challenges across domestic and global markets. Here’s a list of India’s most valuable startups as per Venture Intelligence. 1. Flipkart 2. PhonePe 3. Polygon 4. Dream11 5. Razorpay 6. Ola Cabs 7. CRED 8. Postman 9. Icertis 10. Pine Labs Shaping India’s Startup Success These startups highlight India’s potential in innovation and technology, driving progress in diverse sectors and setting benchmarks for future entrepreneurs.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in partnership with the Data Security Council of India (DSCI), has launched the second edition of the Cyber Security Grand Challenge (CSGC 2.0) with a prize fund of ₹6.85 crores. The challenge, now open for registrations until February 14, 2025, aims to encourage innovative solutions in areas like API security, data protection, wearable privacy, clone app mitigation, AI threat detection, and biometric security. Key Features and Stages of CSGC 2.0 CSGC 2.0 invites startups, innovators, and entrepreneurs to address critical cybersecurity challenges. Participants will maintain intellectual property rights over their solutions. The…

Sunil Bharti Mittal, the billionaire chairman of Bharti Airtel, has seen his children follow diverse career paths, often beyond the shores of India, despite the family’s strong business presence in the country. His children Kavin Bharti Mittal, Shravin Mittal, and Eiesha Bharti Pasricha have each made unique contributions in their respective fields, carving out professional identities on the global stage. Kavin Bharti Mittal: The Tech Visionary Kavin Bharti Mittal, founder and CEO of Hike Messenger, has made a mark in the Indian tech industry. Under his leadership, Hike gained popularity as a messaging app before expanding into various tech-driven solutions.…

A devastating fire erupted early on January 14 at the Bangalore Bio Incubation Center (BBC) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, severely affecting both infrastructure and several startups. The blaze, which started at 4:35 am in the Galore Tx lab on the second floor, was caused by improper handling of flammable solvents. Despite prior warnings to startups about storing and using large quantities of inflammable chemicals, the fire caused extensive damage to key facilities and equipment. Impact on BBC Infrastructure and Startups The fire ravaged the second floor of the BBC, a facility recently revamped to accommodate more startups. The extensive damage spread…

Indian space-tech startups Pixxel, Digantara, and XDLINX Space Labs made history with the successful launch of their satellites. The launch took place on Wednesday aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base. The mission, which occurred at 1915 GMT (just after midnight in India), marked a major step forward for India’s growing private space sector. Pixxel Launches India’s First Private Satellite Network Pixxel made a significant achievement with the launch of its Firefly constellation, which includes three satellites. This constellation is India’s first private satellite network, offering the world’s highest-resolution commercial hyperspectral technology with a 5-meter resolution. This…

On January 16, 2025, India celebrates nine years of Startup India, a groundbreaking initiative launched in 2016. Recognised as National Startup Day, this milestone highlights the country’s journey in fostering an inclusive and dynamic entrepreneurial ecosystem. Startup India, a flagship initiative by the Government of India, aimed to ignite innovation and accelerate the growth of startups nationwide. A Thriving Startup Ecosystem India has emerged as the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, with over 1.59 lakh startups recognised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) as of January 15, 2025. The ecosystem boasts over 100 unicorns and vibrant…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that 60 large Navy ships, valued at Rs 1.5 trillion, are being built in India. This move will generate an economic circulation of around Rs 3 trillion, with each ship creating up to 14,000 jobs. During the commissioning of INS Surat, INS Nilgiri, and INS Vaghsheer, Modi highlighted how the “Make in India” initiative strengthens the country’s military and boosts economic growth. Key Achievements of ‘Make in India’ for Naval Strength Modernizing India’s Military India is modernizing its armed forces with reforms such as the Chief of Defence Staff and the establishment of defence corridors…

The Indian Army is replacing 4,000 mules, which have served in remote and mountainous terrains for over 75 years, with AI-powered robotic dogs. This transition was showcased during the 77th Army Day Parade at the Southern Command Investiture Ceremony in Pune. India becomes the second nation after China to adopt such advanced military technology. Features of Robotic MULEs These four-legged robotic systems, called MULE (Multi-Utility Legged Equipment), are designed for tasks such as surveillance and supply transport. They are equipped with: The robotic dogs can navigate steep and uneven terrains, conduct reconnaissance in high-risk areas, and transport supplies, reducing risks…

India’s recent engagement with Afghanistan’s Taliban government marks a significant shift in regional geopolitics. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Taliban Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Dubai, marking the first high-level dialogue between India and the Afghan regime in three years A Diplomatic Challenge When the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021, concerns arose about potential diplomatic setbacks for India. The fears stemmed from the Taliban’s anti-India stance during their earlier regime. India’s two-decade-long efforts to support Afghanistan’s democracy through initiatives like military training, scholarships, and infrastructure projects faced uncertainty. Additionally, the growing influence of regional rivals…