'It is not economical to operate GSLV-Mk II due to its cost and complexity. Future launches to be managed with LVM3.'
A rocket designed and developed by ISRO is being transferred to industry for production.
Nine ISRO associations want to know whether this is simply an effort to expand India's industrial capacity or part of a larger policy under which ISRO itself will eventually withdraw from rocket manufacturing.
It is about proving that the agency can still deliver when the stakes are high.
Buying a mature rocket technology gives companies the designs and hardware know-how, but not necessarily the decades of engineering wisdom needed to make it work.
A significant boardroom battle has erupted at Tata Sons, India's largest conglomerate, following the board's decision to proceed with a public listing and extend N Chandrasekaran's tenure as executive chairman, moves opposed by Noel Tata, who represents the majority shareholder Tata Trusts.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has clarified that his recent jaw-touching gesture in the State Assembly was unintentional, not meant to mock DMK president MK Stalin. The gesture sparked social media debate and drew criticism from CPI(M) State Secretary P Shanmugam, who linked it to Stalin's jaw fracture during the Emergency. Vijay made the gesture while criticising the DMK over alleged corruption.
The larger question raised by the associations is simple: If ISRO is no longer to manufacture launch vehicles, what will happen to the institution's accumulated capabilities and the people who built them?
A survivor of a recent ambush in Manipur's Kangpokpi district, which resulted in the deaths of four Naga civilians, has described the attackers as wearing full camouflage uniforms. Gaikamang Ringkangmai, who sustained a bullet injury, recounted how militants ambushed their vehicle, killing four colleagues. The United Naga Council has accused Kuki militant outfits of involvement, while the Chief Minister has ordered action against the perpetrators.
DMK President M K Stalin has filed a petition in the Madras High Court challenging the election of TVK candidate V S Babu from the Kolathur Assembly constituency. Stalin alleges grave irregularities during the checking and verification of EVMs and VVPATs, which he claims were not adequately addressed by the District Election Officer. He seeks a declaration that Babu's election is void and a 100% counting of VVPAT slips.
The reforms, undertaken by the Department of Defence Production, remove stakeholder consultation for exports of non-lethal defence items to most destinations, while retaining safeguards for sensitive countries.
Two MDMK MLAs, T M Rajendran and R Senthil Selvan, have refused to resign from their Assembly seats despite demands from MDMK General Secretary Vaiko. They assert their status as DMK legislators, having won on the DMK's 'Rising Sun' symbol, and have pledged loyalty to DMK leadership, including M K Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has said that the Congress will oppose the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill and the issue will also be discussed at the meeting of floor leaders of opposition parties on Monday.
The DMK has announced it will meticulously examine the proposed delimitation Bill when it is introduced in Parliament, making a decision based on its merits to safeguard Tamil Nadu's interests. The party's stance will be independent, without consultation with the Congress party, despite their former alliance.
The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) has chosen seven to eight biotechnology startups as the initial group to receive funding from the government's ~1 trillion Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, with an average investment of approximately ~25 crore per startup.
The government is considering sending 'The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026' to a joint committee of both houses of Parliament for further examination, even as the Congress and some other opposition parties have demanded that it be withdrawn, sources said on Tuesday.
Tamil Nadu Minister C T R Nirmal Kumar has rejected calls for an all-party meeting to discuss the ongoing Cauvery water dispute with Karnataka, citing a previously passed unanimous resolution in the Assembly. He accused DMK and Karnataka CM D K Shivakumar of working against Tamil Nadu's interests and criticised the DMK's "hasty" Supreme Court petition.
Major bills, including those on women's reservation, delimitation, and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), face an uncertain future in the ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament due to persistent opposition protests and a lack of consensus.
The sources declined to specify the number of drones the Navy plans to acquire but said the focus is now on manufacturing the MK-II in India through partnerships with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Elcom.
Despite a disappointing Q4 FY26 performance, many analysts remain bullish on Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) due to its substantial order book and pipeline. However, persistent supply chain issues, particularly for jet engines, and execution challenges are key factors that could impact its future stock performance and revenue growth.
HAL executives said deliveries of the Tejas Mk1A to the IAF would begin within this year, but only after the successful completion of the weapons-firing trials currently underway.
Former DMK Minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan was arrested in Authoor after the Madras High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea concerning defamatory remarks made against Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. The arrest has sparked strong condemnation from DMK leaders, including M K Stalin and Kanimozhi, who allege political vendetta and question the urgency of the action amidst other unresolved issues.
India's indigenous fighter jet programme reached a key milestone on Friday, October 17, 2025, as the Tejas Mk1A made its maiden flight at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited's Nashik facility.
India's annual defence production has reached an all-time high of Rs 1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, marking a significant 15.6 per cent growth over the previous fiscal year. This achievement reflects a 110 per cent increase since 2020-21 and highlights the country's expanding defence industrial base, driven by policy support and increased private sector participation.
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has voiced his support for the TMC and DMK after their losses in recent assembly elections, while criticising the Congress party.
The EoI comes at a time when ISRO is working to enhance LVM3's payload capacity to five tonnes in GTO and is also evaluating the procurement of a Russian semi-cryogenic engine for the vehicle's second stage.
British armed forces, including Royal Marine Commandos, intercepted the Russian shadow fleet oil tanker SMYRTOS in the English Channel, marking the UK's first such operation. The action aims to disrupt Russia's funding for its war in Ukraine, with the UK government highlighting the shadow fleet's role in sustaining Moscow's military efforts.
'The share of the private sector is at its all-time high of around Rs 42,000 crore in FY26, reflecting its expanding role in the defence ecosystem.'
Tamil Nadu Governor RV Arlekar announced that the TVK regime, led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, will take steps to ensure fair financial devolution from the Centre, including pursuing the matter in the Supreme Court. The government also plans to conduct a 'Social Justice Survey' and address the state's severe financial deterioration.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay met with his predecessor, DMK President MK Stalin, at his residence in Alwarpet, Chennai, ahead of a crucial floor test for the government. The meeting, described as a courtesy call, occurred after Vijay's criticism of the previous DMK regime's debt burden.
The Indian defence ministry has initiated a project to indigenously design and develop a 1000-kg aerial bomb for the Indian Air Force (IAF), aiming to enhance self-reliance in the defence sector.
Senior DMK leader KR Periakaruppan lost the Tiruppattur assembly seat by one vote to Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam's Seenivasa Sethupathy R in the Tamil Nadu elections. The defeat highlights the impact of individual ballots and the rise of actor Vijay's TVK.
The Madras High Court has issued notices to key political figures and the Election Commission following a petition alleging corrupt practices during the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, including the use of children to influence voters.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Friday sought a change in seating arrangement for its MPs in the Lok Sabha, saying their alliance with the Congress has ended and it would not be appropriate for its members to sit alongside those of the Congress.
The DMK has strongly criticised the Congress party for exiting their alliance in Tamil Nadu, accusing them of betrayal and opportunistic behaviour. The DMK claims the Congress has undermined the stability of the state government and risked the progress made in the last five years.
A faction of the AIADMK, led by S P Velumani and C Ve Shanmugam, has announced its support for the TVK government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay, citing opposition to Edappadi K Palaniswami's alleged plans to align with the DMK.
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam joint general secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar, accompanied by party leaders, met with the Communist Party of India leaders at the CPI office in Chennai on Thursday, to garner the support for making goverment in Tamil Nadu.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is establishing a maintenance facility for GE Aerospace's F404-IN20 jet engines, which power the Tejas light combat aircraft, with technical support from GE Aerospace. This initiative aims to enhance India's indigenous defence capabilities and reduce reliance on overseas repair centres.
India has successfully conducted the maiden salvo launch of the indigenously developed Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Short Range.
The Indian Air Force's Tejas light combat jets are scheduled to return to the skies next week after being grounded for two months due to a software glitch. HAL expects to deliver over 20 Tejas Mark 1A variants by December, but delays persist due to engine supply issues.
Actor-politician Vijay's newly formed party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), has made a surprising and strong showing in the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, leading in nearly 100 constituencies and leaving established Dravidian parties like DMK and AIADMK trailing.
