Author: Malavika Subramanyan

India’s mobile phone manufacturing industry is on track to achieve a major milestone, with total production expected to reach seventy-five billion dollars by the end of the current fiscal year, according to estimates from the India Cellular and Electronics Association. Exports alone are projected to cross thirty billion dollars, reflecting the country’s growing importance in the global smartphone supply chain. This rapid expansion is largely attributed to India’s steadily strengthening manufacturing base. Government-backed initiatives, particularly the Production-Linked Incentive program for mobile phones, have played a crucial role in scaling up domestic capabilities. The scheme has encouraged leading global smartphone brands…

The Indian Space Research Organisation has confirmed that its PSLV-C62 mission is set for launch on January 12, with liftoff scheduled at 10:17 AM IST. The mission will take place from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. ISRO officially shared the update through its social media channel, reaffirming the organization’s upcoming launch calendar. This announcement comes shortly after ISRO’s recent achievement on December 24, when it successfully launched the BlueBird Block-2 communication satellite for AST SpaceMobile, a company based in the United States. The launch was conducted from the same Sriharikota facility at 8:55…

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described the commissioning of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited’s Residue Upgradation Facility at the Visakh Refinery in Andhra Pradesh as a major step towards strengthening India’s energy security and advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. In a message shared on social media, the Prime Minister said the state-of-the-art facility adds fresh momentum to India’s efforts to become self-reliant in the energy sector. The project enhances the country’s ability to maximise output from crude oil while reducing dependence on external energy sources. Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said the successful commissioning of…

India marked a historic milestone in 2025 by emerging as the world’s largest rice-producing nation, overtaking China for the first time. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that India produced a record 150.18 million tonnes of rice during the year, surpassing China’s output of 145.28 million tonnes. The achievement reflects the steady transformation of India’s agricultural sector from food scarcity to global leadership in grain production and exports. The minister attributed the milestone to sustained policy reforms, farmer-centric initiatives, and the adoption of modern agricultural practices. India now holds the single largest share of global rice production, reinforcing its…

New Delhi, Jan 1 (IANS) — The government on Thursday reported significant progress under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), stating that 3.86 crore houses have been sanctioned and 2.92 crore houses completed against the cumulative target of 4.14 crore homes allotted to states and union territories as of December 9, 2025. PMAY-G, a flagship programme of the government, aims to achieve the objective of ‘Housing for All’ in rural India by providing 4.95 crore pucca houses with basic amenities by 2029. The scheme focuses on aiding houseless households and those living in kutcha or dilapidated houses through convergence with…

 Indian-origin Ricky Gill, a senior adviser to US President Donald Trump, has emerged as a prominent figure following his recognition by the National Security Council for his alleged involvement in the India-Pakistan ceasefire after Operation Sindoor earlier this year. The development has reignited diplomatic debate, particularly in India, where officials have repeatedly dismissed claims of external mediation in the truce announced on May 10. Gill received the NSC’s Distinguished Action Award from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a move that has been widely interpreted as reinforcing President Trump’s assertion that Washington played a role in easing tensions between the…

2025 marked a significant year for Indian Americans in US politics, with several leaders from the diaspora making headlines for their historic achievements and bold stances. In the midst of rising anti-Indian sentiment and challenges to visa policies, figures such as Zohran Mamdani, Ro Khanna, and Pramila Jayapal redefined the narrative surrounding the community. On the right-wing spectrum, Vivek Ramaswamy and Harmeet Dhillon emerged as prominent voices advocating conservative principles while supporting the Indian-American community. Vivek Ramaswamy, the biotech entrepreneur turned politician, pursued the governorship of Ohio, challenging entrenched conservative ideologies. Known for his anti-woke stance, Ramaswamy also defended the…

The India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is expected to significantly boost investor confidence by expanding market access and strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries, experts said on Tuesday. Ved Jain, economist and former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), said the agreement would encourage positive investor sentiment as both nations open their markets and demonstrate strong leadership commitment to economic development. “When two countries like India and New Zealand enter into a free trade agreement and provide greater market access, investors gain confidence in both economies,” Jain told IANS, adding that the agreement reflects…

India’s real estate sector reached a historic milestone in 2025, recording institutional investments of US$ 10.4 billion, the highest annual inflow ever reported. The surge in capital reflects heightened confidence among both domestic and global investors, supported by favourable macroeconomic conditions, greater market transparency, and sustained demand across key real estate segments. Office properties continued to draw a significant portion of institutional capital, fueled by steady leasing activity and high tenant occupancy levels. The residential sector also saw increased investor interest, driven by consistent housing demand, signaling strong long-term potential for investment in both commercial and residential assets. Industrial and…

 Dhurandhar continues its unstoppable march at the domestic box office, emerging as one of the most dominant theatrical performers in Indian cinema history. The Ranveer Singh-led action thriller has shattered second-week records by a massive margin, setting new standards for future big-budget releases. For 14 consecutive days, the film earned over $2.4 million net daily in India, making it the first Indian film to sustain such numbers for two straight weeks. After completing two weeks in theatres, Dhurandhar has amassed approximately $55 million net in India, while its worldwide gross has crossed $84 million. On its third Friday, the film…