Author: News Desk

The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday signed a contract worth Rs 659.47 crore with a consortium of M/s MKU Ltd and M/s Medbit Technologies Pvt Ltd to procure night sights (image intensifiers) and accessories for 7.62 x 51mm assault rifles for the Indian Army. Enhancing Night Combat Capability The night sights will allow soldiers to fully utilise the longer effective range of the SIG 716 Assault Rifle. These systems can engage targets up to 500 metres even under starlight, providing a significant improvement over existing passive night sights. Boost to Indigenous Defence Manufacturing The procurement includes more than 51 per…

Indian tourists traveling to Japan will soon be able to make payments using Unified Payments Interface (UPI) apps such as PhonePe, Paytm, and Google Pay. This is part of a new collaboration between NPCI International Payments Ltd. (NIPL) and NTT DATA Japan, aimed at making digital payments seamless for Indian travelers abroad. With this initiative, select merchants in Japan will accept UPI QR code payments, eliminating the need for cash or foreign cards. The move is expected to enhance convenience for Indian visitors, allowing them to shop, dine, and pay for services directly using their familiar UPI apps. Officials from NIPL stated that this partnership is a significant step toward internationalizing UPI and expanding its adoption outside India. The rollout will initially cover key tourist hubs and popular destinations, making…

The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has unveiled a new “Business Class” bus service designed to bring luxury air-travel style comfort to road journeys. As announced by Transport Minister K. B. Ganesh Kumar, the service will operate on the Thiruvananthapuram–Kochi corridor and complete the trip in just 3½ to 4 hours once the six-lane national highway is completed. Each bus will accommodate 25 passengers, with each traveller getting access to a personal TV screen, charging port, Wi-Fi connectivity, and seats imported to match airline-business-class standards. An onboard hostess, alongside the driver, will attend to passengers throughout the journey. The bus fleet is part of Kerala’s wider push to upgrade…

In a refreshing upgrade for rail travellers, the menu on Kerala-based Vande Bharat Express trains has been revamped to include a wide array of regional delicacies. The change follows the termination of a previous catering contract over quality concerns; the new menu is being rolled out by caterers onboard trains like the Thiruvananthapuram–Mangaluru Central and Thiruvananthapuram–Kasaragod services. Passengers will now find local dishes such as Thalassery veg biryani, Varutharacha chicken curry, Kerala-style chicken roast, Nadan kozhi curry, and snacks like sharkara upperi, unniyappam, garam pakoda, and ullivada. These additions are aimed at providing a taste of Kerala’s rich culinary heritage. Breakfast options remain familiar, with idlis, appams, idiyappam and upma, along with kadala curry, egg…

On the eve of Diwali, Delhi’s air quality deteriorated sharply, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing the 300 mark, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category. In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-2). This stage imposes restrictions on the use of diesel generator (DG) sets across the National Capital Region (NCR) and prohibits the entry of interstate buses into Delhi unless they are powered by electricity, compressed natural gas (CNG), or BS-VI compliant diesel engines. Experts anticipate that the air quality may further decline to ‘severe’ levels…

A major milestone in India’s commercial space journey: the U.S.-developed 6,500 kg BlueBird 6 satellite, built by AST SpaceMobile, has arrived in India at Chennai International Airport ahead of its launch aboard the Indian Space Research Organisation’s heavy-lift LVM3 rocket. Transported on an ANA-124 Antonov cargo aircraft, the satellite will soon be moved to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre for final pre-launch preparations. The launch, managed by ISRO’s commercial arm NewSpace India Limited, is expected in December 2025 or January 2026. BlueBird 6 is designed for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and will form a key part of a global space-based mobile broadband network. This mission cements India’s role as a hub for commercial launches and international…

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Friday approved a sweeping ban on entry of polluting commercial vehicles into Delhi starting November 1. Only BS-VI, CNG, LNG, and electric goods vehicles will be allowed, in line with a Supreme Court directive. Transitional Measures for Delhi-Registered Vehicles As a transitional measure, BS-IV light, medium, and heavy goods vehicles registered in Delhi can continue operating until October 31, 2026. Enforcement agencies have been instructed to conduct strict checks at all border entry points. Action Against Stubble Burning CAQM Chairperson Rajesh Verma, chairing the 25th Commission meeting, empowered district authorities in Punjab,…

India has achieved a major milestone in its clean energy journey with the successful trial of its first hydrogen-powered train coach, developed by the Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, under the Ministry of Railways’ Hydrogen for Heritage initiative. The indigenous prototype marks a crucial step towards building a green, self-reliant rail ecosystem, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and helping India achieve its net-zero targets by 2030. The hydrogen fuel cell system converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity to power the train, emitting only water vapor as a byproduct, making it a true zero-emission solution. According to officials, the coach, equipped with cutting-edge 1,200-horsepower fuel cells and advanced control systems,…

In a sharp escalation of trade tensions, US President Donald Trump reiterated on October 20, 2025 that India would continue to face “massive tariffs” on its exports unless it stopped buying oil from Russia.He claimed that Narendra Modi had assured him of an end to India’s Russian oil imports, saying, “He said he’s not going to be doing the Russian oil thing… But if they want to say that, then they’ll just continue to pay massive tariffs.” New Delhi has denied any recent conversation between Modi and Trump on the issue. The Indian government maintains that its energy imports are driven…

India is set to unveil the next-generation Vande Bharat 4.0 trains within the next 18 months, as announced by Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw during the inauguration of the 16th International Railway Equipment Exhibition. The Vande Bharat 4.0 will feature enhanced passenger amenities, including improved toilets, seating, and overall coach quality, aiming to meet global standards. In tandem, Indian Railways plans to develop 7,000 kilometers of Dedicated Passenger Corridors by 2047, designed to accommodate trains running at speeds up to 350 km/h, positioning India as a leader in high-speed rail infrastructure. These initiatives underscore India’s commitment to modernizing its railway system and establishing a strong presence in the…