On 26 September 2026, India and France concluded the 24th edition of Exercise VARUNA, a bilateral naval drill intended to strengthen maritime cooperation and interoperability. The exercise featured Indian Navy units, with INS Trishul participating from Indian ships, while French naval assets operated from Toulon. VARUNA aims to improve coordinated response in sea-denial and humanitarian scenarios, focusing on air defense, surface warfare, and complex maritime maneuvers. The exercise reinforces defence ties between India and France and broadens joint training, planning, and information-sharing capabilities between the two navies. Military officials described VARUNA as a practical platform for coordinating multilateral responses to evolving maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
Edition: 24th VARUNA; bilateral drill with France.
Indian participation: INS Trishul from Indian ships; French assets from Toulon.
Focus areas: interoperability, air defense, surface warfare, humanitarian scenarios.
Outcome: strengthened India-France maritime cooperation and training.
Strategic note: supports regional maritime security in the Indo-Pacific.
Maruti Suzuki commissions first Green Hydrogen electrolyser plant at Manesar, Haryana
On 26 September 2026, Maruti Suzuki India Limited announced the commissioning of its first Green Hydrogen electrolyser plant at the Manesar manufacturing complex in Haryana. The 300-kilowatt facility operates as a pilot to produce green hydrogen and test its use in automobile manufacturing, supporting cleaner energy adoption on the shop floor. The project aligns with wider national and industry efforts to reduce emissions in manufacturing and mobility. The electrolyser splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity, enabling potential future integration with production lines or hydrogen-powered processes in the plant. Company officials noted the plant's role as a learning platform for scalable, carbon-free manufacturing technologies.
IIEST Shibpur and TCS launch Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence
On 26 September 2026, the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to launch a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence. The MoU, dated 22 September 2026, designates the on-campus High-Performance Computing Lab in the Electrical Engineering Department as the base for the AI Centre of Excellence, establishing a hub for AI research, education, and industry partnerships. The collaboration aims to accelerate innovation, develop skilled professionals, and strengthen academia-industry ties in advanced AI technologies. Officials said the Centre will host research programs, internships, and joint faculty projects, leveraging IIEST Shibpur's strengths and TCS's ecosystem.
MoU between IIEST Shibpur and TCS; Centre of Excellence in AI.
MoU date: 22 September 2026; location: on-campus HPC Lab.
Purpose: AI research, education, industry collaboration.
Outcomes: accelerate innovation and develop skilled professionals.
Future activities: research programs, internships, joint faculty projects.
Defence Ministry signs ₹810 crore contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited for SAT-SAAW systems
On 26 September 2026, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract valued at ₹810 crore with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for the supply of 160 Satellite Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAT-SAAW) and related equipment for the Indian Air Force. The agreement was inked in New Delhi in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. SAT-SAAW is an air-to-ground, precision-guided glide bomb designed to neutralize enemy airfields from long stand-off ranges, compatible with aircraft such as the Jaguar, Hawk, and Su-30 MKI. The procurement strengthens IAF strike capabilities and long-range targeting options in diverse operational scenarios. BDL officials expect timely delivery and integration with existing platforms.
Contract value ₹810 crore for 160 SAT-SAAW and related equipment.
Signed in New Delhi, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh attended.
SAT-SAAW: precision-guided glide bomb for long stand-off airfield strikes.
Compatible aircraft: Jaguar, Hawk, Su-30 MKI.
Implication: enhances IAF long-range strike capabilities and deterrence.
J. P. Nadda inaugurates Arogya Manthan 2026 in New Delhi
On 26 September 2026, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J. P. Nadda inaugurated Arogya Manthan 2026 at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The event highlighted milestones in India's health sector, including eight years of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) and five years of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). Arogya Manthan served as a platform to review progress in healthcare delivery, digital health services, and beneficiary benefits. Officials and health sector stakeholders discussed policy initiatives, implementation challenges, and scalable solutions aimed at expanding universal health coverage and leveraging technology to improve access and outcomes. Media briefings accompanied the event and outlined future timelines for PMJAY and ABDM.
Event: Arogya Manthan 2026, Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi; date 26 September 2026.
Milestones: AB-PMJAY eight years; ABDM five years.
Purpose: review progress in healthcare delivery and digital health.