The article highlights how the Venture Capital Fund for Scheduled Castes (VCF-SC), managed by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, empowered Ms. Sujatha Seelam to establish Palnadu Solar Power Pvt. Ltd. in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. With ₹15 crore in financial assistance, the company set up a 5.5 MW grid-connected solar power plant, contributing to India's renewable energy goals, generating employment, and fostering sustainable rural development by providing clean energy and strengthening local economies.
The Government of India has announced a Nuclear Energy Mission for Viksit Bharat, targeting 100 GW nuclear power capacity by 2047. Nuclear power projects typically have a 10-12 year construction period, with no new specific projects sanctioned after the Middle East conflict. The article details various nuclear power projects under construction, commissioning, pre-project activities, and planned stages across different states, distinguishing between indigenous (e.g., 700 MW PHWRs, PFBR) and foreign technology reactors. It also addresses public apprehensions regarding safety, rehabilitation, and livelihood loss at project sites, stating that these concerns are addressed through public awareness programs and a commitment to the highest safety standards and continuous upgrades.
India has launched the Nuclear Energy Mission (NEM) with a target of 100 GWe nuclear power by 2047 and the development of five indigenous Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is leading the indigenous design and development of SMRs like BSMR-200, SMR-55, and HTGCR, leveraging domestic industry capabilities and materials like ApuRVA. The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025, has been enacted to enable private sector participation, grant statutory status to the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for stringent oversight, and reform the liability regime. A budgetary provision of Rs. 20,000 crore has been allocated for NEM, with initial sites approved for these demonstration SMRs in Tarapur, Maharashtra, and BARC, Vizag.
The article details the successful attainment of 'first criticality' by India's indigenously designed Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. This marks a significant milestone in Dr. Homi J. Bhabha's three-stage nuclear power programme, positioning PFBR as a cornerstone for the second stage. The PFBR uses Uranium–Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel and a Uranium-238 blanket to breed more fissile Plutonium-239 than it consumes, and is designed to eventually use Thorium-232 for the third stage. The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) was the principal architect, contributing significantly to engineering, materials, safety, indigenization (nearly 90% domestic manufacturing), and commissioning. The article also provides an update on the implementation of 10 indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) and projected nuclear power capacity by 2031/32. It highlights India's closed fuel cycle approach for optimal utilization of uranium and thorium reserves, and the role of the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) in augmenting uranium resources using advanced techniques.
The article details Indian Railways' significant progress in modernizing its operations, highlighting the utilization of over ₹1.14 lakh crore of its ₹2.93 lakh crore budget grant for FY 2026-27. Key areas of focus include enhanced safety through the indigenous Kavach Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system (Version 4.0 deployed on major routes), increased speed potential across its network (81% tracks upgraded to 110 Kmph and above, Mission Raftaar for 160 Kmph on Golden Quadrilateral), and substantial infrastructure augmentation (doubling new track commissioning rate). Additionally, it emphasizes comprehensive capacity building and skill upgradation for employees through extensive training programs and the role of Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya in logistics and freight operations.
The Antariksh Venture Capital Fund (AVCF), a SEBI-registered Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), has been established with contributions from IN-SPACe to provide equity capital to emerging space-tech startups. Its primary objective is to support technology development, commercialization, and scaling of operations for these startups, contributing to India's space ambitions. As of July 2026, IN-SPACe's total contributions stood at ₹188.93 Crores, with three startups already selected for investment. The fund's operations and investments are governed by SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations.
The article provides an update on India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, detailing progress in developing the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3), Orbital Module, and Crew Escape System (CES). It highlights successful test missions like TV-D1 and IADT-01/02, established infrastructure, and international collaborations for network support, recovery, and crew training. The first uncrewed experimental mission with Vyommitra is targeted for Q4 2026, followed by two more uncrewed missions and the first crewed mission by 2027. Additionally, the article outlines plans for the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS), targeting operationalization by 2035, with government approval for its first module (BAS-01) already secured. A budgetary allocation of ₹20,193 Cr for 8 missions was approved in September 2024.
The article provides an update on India's human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, detailing the progress of astronaut training (generic in Russia, mission-specific in Bengaluru), test missions (TV-D1 accomplished, TV-D2 in progress), and the development of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle (HLVM3). It targets the first crewed mission for 2027. Additionally, it outlines plans for the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS) to be operational by 2035, with the first module (BAS-01) approved and under development. The indigenous development of critical technologies like flight suits, viewports, crew seats, and docking technology is also highlighted.
The article details ISRO's proactive measures to manage space debris and prevent collisions, including executing Collision Avoidance Manoeuvres (CAMs) for satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). It highlights India's participation in international space debris mitigation frameworks like IADC and UN-LTS, and the announcement of the Debris Free Space Mission (DFSM) initiative in 2024. The development of tracking infrastructure such as the Multi-Object Tracking Radar (MOTR) at Sriharikota and the upcoming optical telescope under the NETRA project in Hanle (Ladakh) is also mentioned. Additionally, the article touches upon the 'Policy framework and guidelines addressing State’s Liability towards third party damages arising due to Indian Space Objects' by IN-SPACe and the development of Biomedical and Life Support Systems for the Human Spaceflight Programme (Gaganyaan Missions).
The Ministry of Minority Affairs is leveraging AI and digital technologies to enhance transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness in scheme implementation and citizen-centric service delivery, including Haj services. This initiative operates within the framework of the IndiaAI Mission, which aims to establish a robust AI ecosystem through seven key pillars (Compute, Foundation Models, Application Development, Future Skills, AIKosh, Safe & Trusted AI, Startup Financing). The use of these technologies adheres to the India AI Governance Guidelines, emphasizing principles like Trust, Fairness, and Accountability, and is governed by the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, ensuring safeguards for privacy and data protection.
The article details the advancements in monsoon science, climate research, and weather forecasting in India, primarily through the Mission Mausam program under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). It highlights recent studies showing increased frequency of extreme rainfall and deep convective clouds, linking them to human-induced climate change. Key initiatives include adopting advanced Multi-Model Ensemble (MME) and Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models, strengthening observation networks (DWRs, AWSs, ARGs), expanding satellite-based observations (including indigenous satellites and international data), and developing indigenous, citizen-centric forecasting systems like IMD's Decision Support System (DSS) under 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. Dissemination efforts include the Panchayat Mausam Seva Portal, leveraging e-GramSwaraj, and networks like Krishi Sakhis and Pashu Sakhis for last-mile connectivity. The National Centre For Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) has developed climate reanalysis datasets (NGFS, IMDAA) and uses AI/ML. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) is also improving seasonal prediction models. The mission involves extensive national and international collaborations, including with WMO and various academic and research institutions, to enhance climate resilience and disaster preparedness.
The Deep Ocean Mission (DOM), launched by the Government of India in 2021, is a flagship initiative focused on exploring and harnessing ocean living and non-living resources for India's Blue Economy. It encompasses six verticals, including the development of deep-sea mining technologies, human submersibles (like MATSYA-6000), ocean climate change advisory services, deep-sea biodiversity exploration and conservation, deep-ocean surveys, energy and freshwater from the ocean (e.g., OTEC), and an Advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology. Notable achievements include the design completion and trials of MATSYA-6000, successful demonstration of deep-sea nodule collection, development of ocean climate models, isolation of deep-sea microbes, discovery of new deep-sea species, identification of hydrothermal vent fields, and progress on an OTEC desalination plant and a new ocean research vessel. The mission also involves adherence to stringent environmental safeguards under the International Seabed Authority's draft Mining Code.
