In a First, 7 Indian Space Start-ups Picked for Indo-US Defence Programme
Seven Indian privately-held start-ups were chosen for a first-of-its-kind India-U.S. space and defence collaboration programme, potentially unlocking a lucrative and strategic market for Indian firms.
The companies include space imaging company KaleidEO, rocket makers EtherealX and AI-driven company Shyam VNL. They will participate in a programme for defence and dual-use technology and explore opportunities to work with the U.S. Defence Innovation Unit, the Department of Defence and other government agencies on satellite observation and emerging space and defence technologies.
The start-ups will get access to the world's biggest defence and space market and potentially work with U.S. defence industry leaders like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and RTX.
Piyush Goyal Launches PRABHAAV Factbook and Start-up Challenge
The 9th Foundation Day of Start-up India, celebrated in New Delhi, marked a significant milestone in India's journey toward becoming a global leader in innovation and entrepreneurship. Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal, launched key initiatives, including the PRABHAAV Factbook and the Bharat Start-up Challenge, while emphasising the transformative role of start-ups in shaping India's economic and social landscape. The event highlighted India's achievements in fostering a thriving startup ecosystem, empowering women entrepreneurs, and supporting Tier II and Tier III city start-ups.
Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS), administered by SIDBI, played a pivotal role in mobilising private capital, especially in Tier II and III cities.
PRABHAAV Factbook is a comprehensive guide to India's startup ecosystem achievements (2016-2024), and highlights regional contributions and the growth trajectory of start-ups.
Punjab National Bank, Indian Bank Get New Chief Executive Officers
The government appointed Ashok Chandra as the Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Punjab National Bank (PNB) and Binod Kumar as the MD and CEO of Indian Bank.
Prior to these appointments, Chandra was an executive director at Canara Bank, while Kumar was an executive director at PNB.
Chandra, who joined Canara Bank as an executive director in November 2022, oversaw various verticals, including digital banking and information technology, strategy and planning, marketing and public relations, financial inclusion, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME), retail assets, agriculture, and priority sectors.
Kumar has held various key positions at PNB, including Chief General Manager (Corporate Credit), Zonal Manager, and CEO of PNB Operations at the Dubai International Financial Centre. Kumar began his banking career at PNB as a management trainee in 1994 and was elevated to the position of executive director in November 2022.
IREDA Finalises JV with SJVN, GMR, and NEP for Hydropower Project in Nepal
State-owned IREDA finalised a joint venture agreement with SJVN, GMR Energy and the Nepal Electricity Authority to set up a 900 megawatt hydropower project in Nepal. The agreement for the 900 MW Upper Karnali hydro-electric project was formalised in New Delhi, in the presence of senior officials from IREDA, SJVN, and GMR Energy.
The joint venture agreement lays out a comprehensive framework for project development, construction, operation, and maintenance under a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model, with a 25-year project term from the Commercial Operation Date (CoD).
C-DOT and IIT Bombay Unite for Indigenous 6G Optical Chipset
India is making significant strides in next-generation telecommunications technology, with the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay (IIT Bombay) signing an agreement for the development of an "Optical Transceiver Chipset for High-Bandwidth 6G Wireless Links." This initiative, under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) 6G Call for Proposals by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), aims to strengthen India's leadership in 6G innovation and deployment by 2030, with a focus on affordability, sustainability, and ubiquity.
Mansukh Mandaviya Chairs First-ever CSR Round Table for Sports Development
In a groundbreaking initiative to propel India into the top ranks of global sports by 2036, Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, convened the first-ever corporate round-table in New Delhi.
Mandaviya emphasised a vision to position India among the top five global sports performers by 2047, the 100th year of India's independence. Aiming to bridge the gap between aspirations and execution, he stressed the critical role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in building sustainable sports infrastructure and talent development programs. He also proposed that PSUs should support state-level requirements to achieve sporting excellence.
The Union Cabinet approved the implementation of the 8th Pay Commission to revise salaries of nearly 50 lakh central government employees and allowances of 65 lakh pensioners. The 8th Pay Commission will not only lead to increased salaries of Central government employees but also have revised Dearness Allowance (DA).
Since 1947, seven Pay Commissions have been constituted, with the last one constituted in 2014 and implemented on January 1, 2016. The 7th pay commission saw an expenditure increase of Rs. 1 lakh crore for fiscal 2016-17.
As the 7th Pay Commission's term concludes in December 2025, initiating the process now ensures sufficient time to receive and review recommendations before its completion.
Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar Launches the Toolkit for 9th Edition of Swachh Survekshan
The Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal Khattar, launched the toolkit for 9th edition of Swachh Survekshan (SS), the world's largest urban cleanliness survey, in its new avatar–simpler, sharper, systematic and all-inclusive. Secretary, MoHUA, S. Katikithala was also present at the launch event.
Initially launched by MoHUA in 2016, Swachh Survekshan drives urban sanitation improvement through citizen participation and third-party validation.
In a significant initiative to connect civilians with the valorous history of India's armed forces, the government launched the "Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan" app and website. Developed jointly by the Ministries of Defence, Tourism, and the Indian Army, the app allows civilians to visit key battlefield locations, including those of the 1962, 1971, and 1999 wars, and significant conflict zones like Siachen base camp and Galwan valley. This effort aims to transform border regions into tourist hubs, offering citizens a closer connection to India's military history and its soldiers' sacrifices.
Mridangist T. V. Gopalakrishnan Honoured with R. K. Srikantan Trust Award
Renowned mridangist T. V. Gopalakrishnan was selected to receive the R. K. Srikantan Trust Award during the Sankranti Music Fest. This recognition celebrates his exceptional contributions to Indian classical music.
Rudrapatna Krishnasastri Srikantan (1920–2014) was a distinguished Carnatic vocalist known for his purity of rendition and adherence to traditional values. He was awarded the Sangeetha Kalanidhi in 1995 and the Padma Bhushan in 2011.
Established to honour the legacy of R. K. Srikantan, the R. K. Srikantan Trust Award recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of Carnatic music. The award is presented during the Sankranti Music Fest, a celebration of classical music held annually.
Justice Sujoy Paul to Take over as Acting Chief Justice of Telangana High Court
Justice Sujoy Paul was appointed as the Acting Chief Justice of the Telangana High Court.
A notification was issued in this regard by the Department of Law and Justice, Government of India exercising the power conferred to it under Article 223 of the Constitution.
The notification came following the transfer of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe of the Telangana High Court to the Bombay High Court as Chief Justice.
Justice Sujoy Paul enrolled as an advocate with the Madhya Pradesh Bar Council in 1990. In 2014, he was appointed as a permanent judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court and served as a judge of the Madhya Pradesh High Court till he was transferred to the Telangana High Court in 2024.
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