India’s IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday laid out an ambitious roadmap for India’s semiconductor push, with the long-term goal of producing “one AMD” and “one Qualcomm” out of the country.

India’s IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday laid out an ambitious roadmap for India’s semiconductor push, saying the government plans to support at least 50 fabless chip companies in the next phase of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), also called ISM 2.0, by scaling up the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme, with the long-term goal of producing “one AMD” and “one Qualcomm” out of the country.

Fabless chip companies design and sell chips that are produced by specialised foundries.

A ministry of electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) official said on condition of anonymity that ISM 2.0 will be announced in three months after the government finalises its structure , including funding, incentives for fabless startups, a sharper focus on advanced design, and a roadmap to achieve 3-nanometre and 2-nanometre technology nodes.

The first phase of ISM, announced in 2021-end, had an outlay of ₹76,000 crore, which currently has 10 projects under construction, with four expected to begin chip production this year.

India will soon be able to manufacture 180-nanometre chips at SCL Mohali, while more advanced nodes down to 28 nanometres being enabled through the upcoming fabrication facility at Tata-PSMC plant in Dholera, Gujarat. By 2032, India has goals to manufacture 3 nanometer (nm) chips, said Vaishnaw, adding that India is studying the paths taken by Taiwan, South Korea and Japan to help get there. Node refers to a chip generation, with those with lower nm having more transistors in the same or smaller area.

Speaking at a semiconductor chip design startup event in New Delhi, Vaishnaw said ISM was shaped by three broad ideas given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi: building the full ecosystem, taking a long-term view, and moving India from a services economy to a product nation.

He said the government expected just five startups under DLI in the first phase of ISM but ended up with 24, adding that many startups have already taped out (finalised the design of) chips, validated products and found markets. All startups selected under the DLI scheme made presentations to the minister on Tuesday, updating him on the progress of their chip design projects. These startups have attracted nearly ₹430 crore in venture capital funding, with 14 of the 24 participating firms having already secured private investment.

Based on his conversations with global industry leaders at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Vaishnaw said India’s credibility in semiconductors has changed dramatically in just a few years. He recalled that in 2022, when India spoke about manufacturing semiconductors, the idea was met with skepticism, while 2023 saw a more cautious response. By 2024, people had begun to take note, and in 2025, the mood had shifted to recognition that India had done something significant.

This year at Davos, he said, industry leaders were actively asking what they could do to be part of India’s journey, adding that there is now a clear belief that India will become a major semiconductor nation. The minister said that by 2029, India will have the capability to design and manufacture chips required for nearly 70-75% of domestic applications. By 2035, India aims to be among the top semiconductor nations globally, he said.

Six core chip systems

The minister said India will now focus on six major chip system categories to build a complete design ecosystem, and that different permutations of these would account for nearly 80% of the manufacturing that India can do on its own. The six categories are high-performance compute, radio frequency (RF), networking, power management, sensors and memory.

“These six major categories will encourage our startups, academia, and industry to come up with new ideas, thoughts and solutions,” he said, adding that these capabilities would allow the country to design chips for defence, automobiles, railways, space and industrial applications, and eventually manufacture 70-75% of the major electronics it needs domestically.

India had also set a target of training 85,000 semiconductor professionals in 10 years, and has trained 67,000 in four years, said the minister, adding, “I can say with a high level of confidence that in the coming years, practically 50% of all semiconductor design work in the world will be done in India.”

Vaishnaw also announced a new Deep Tech Awards programme starting this year, which will recognise startups and companies working in areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, space and other deep-tech sectors. He said the first round of the awards will be announced towards the end of the year.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

Eight decades after Independence, most roads don’t lead to the Mahatma, but some roads, across India, still bear his name.

On January 30, 2026, it will be 78 years since Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated. It works out to 936 months or 28,470 days roughly. The last time the name was invoked Indiawide was in December 2025, in reports about its removal from the social welfare scheme Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act.

Eight decades after Independence, most roads don’t lead to the Mahatma, but some roads, across India, still bear his name. The oldest is in Bengaluru. It used to be called South Parade till 1948. V. Ravichandar, who calls himself an urban evangelist, says, “It was the dividing line between the old city and the cantonment area.”

After Bengaluru, Calcutta renamed a busy stretch after the Father of the Nation, an appellation that seems to have fallen into disuse in recent times. It connects two key railway junctions, Howrah and Sealdah. Earlier it was called Harrison Road. Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay’s fictional detective Byomkesh Bakshi’s initial address was — Presidency Boarding House, 66 Harrison Road.

Gujarat has many roads named after Gandhi. Ahmedabad’s Ashram Road leads to the Sabarmati Ashram. In the 1970s, Asaram Bapu built his ashram on the same road. “Now, many people think the road was named after it. My film Kaun Se Bapu? makes a reference to this,” says Mehul Devkala. “In the old city, Richie Road was renamed Gandhi Road during the freedom struggle. It was inaugurated by Jinnah. Parallel to it runs Tilak Road. Across Sabarmati River lies an arterial MG Road, which carries the city’s pulse.”

In Maharashtra, several arterial roads are named after Gandhi. Alpana Chowdhury, a Mumbai-based journalist, says, “Mahatma Gandhi Road in the erstwhile Esplanade area of Mumbai winds its way through the Flora Fountain crossroads, now known as Hutatma Chowk, past what used to be the Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited tower, and on to the wide stretch that has the Bombay Gymkhana on one side and Fashion Street on the other, right up to the Art Deco cinema hall Metro.”

At the Flora Fountain end, the road has heritage buildings such as the Bombay High Court, Elphinstone College, the University of Mumbai and Cowasji Jehangir Hall, now known as the National Gallery of Modern Art. At 159-161 MG Road stands what was once known as the Prince of Wales Museum. Close by is Rampart Row where Progressive artists such as M.F. Husain and S.H. Raza held their exhibitions at the Bombay Art Society Salon.

Actor Ashok Kumar lived on Rampart Row and his couturier Stylo had its outlet there. Adds Chowdhury, “Steeped in history and also in sync with the times, Mumbai’s MG Road showcases the best of the city.”

That said, not all MG Roads are named after Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. These would be the Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road, New Delhi; Moledina Grant Road, Pune; and Munshi Ganj Road, Calcutta. Devkala says, “Pune’s famous MG Road, sometimes confused with the adjacent Moledina Road, is named after a wealthy Gujarati Muslim merchant.”

And then there are those roads that have no MG about them, only a Gandhian connect. There are two such in New Delhi — August Kranti Marg, named after the August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai from where Gandhi launched the Quit India Movement and Tees January Marg where the man breathed his last. He was 78.

J&K: Jammu 2.4km;

LADAKH Leh 1.5km;

PUNJAB Ludhiana 3km;

UTTARAKHAND Dehradun 2km;

NEW DELHI 55km;

UTTAR PRADESH Agra 6.8km; Allahabad 4.5km; Bahraich 2.2km; Kanpur 10km; Lucknow 4km;

MADHYA PRADESH Gwalior 2.2km; Indore 8.6km; CHHATTISGARH Raigarh 0.9km; Raipur 11.7km;

MAHARASHTRA Ahmednagar 3km; Akola 4km; Fort Mumbai 1.5km; Kandivali-West 2km; Ghatkopar East 2.5km; Borivali East 5km; Kandivali 3km; Goregaon 1.3km; Nashik 1.5km; Pune 3km; Thane 4km; Wardha 5km;

GOA 0.5km;

TELANGANA Secunderabad 1.21km;

PUDUCHERRY 3km;

ANDHRA PRADESH Guntur 6.34km; Ongole 2 km; Tirupati 2km; Vijayawada 4km; KARNATAKA Bengaluru 2.5km; Mangaluru 2.2km; Mysuru 11.9km; Tumkur 18.9km; Bellary 2.5km; Kolar 2.5km; Hassan 2.7km;

TAMIL NADU Chennai 3km; Coimbatore 2.6km; KERALA Kochi 4.5km; Kottayam 3km; Thiruvananthapuram 6km; Thrissur 2km; GUJARAT Ahmedabad-Vadodara 93.1km; Porbandar 2.1km; Surat 3.1km; Vadodara 1km; Veraval 6.5km;

RAJASTHAN Ajmer 3km;

JHARKHAND Ranchi 2.5km;

ODISHA Bhubaneswar 1.2km;

WEST BENGAL Calcutta 2.7km; Durgapur 6km;

SIKKIM Gangtok 1km;

ASSAM Dispur 4.4km; Uzan Bazaar 2.7km;

MEGHALAYA Shillong 2.5km;

ARUNACHAL PRADESH Namsai 0.5km;

MANIPUR Imphal0.55km;

MIZORAM Aizawl 1km;

TRIPURA Udaipur 1.7km;

DAMAN AND DIU 7.8km;

LAKSHWADEEP Kavaratti Distance not known.

TOTAL: More than 377.3km

(The road lengths have been calculated with the help of a retired road engineer using
Google Earth and Google Maps.)

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

The eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor was the outcome of a collaborative study by scientists from Nagaland University and the University of Science and Technology Beijing.

Apple farm waste may soon help protect metal pipes, machinery, and infrastructure from corrosion.

An international research team led by Nagaland University (NU) has found a way to turn discarded apple leaves into a highly effective, eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor, offering up to 96.2% protection for copper in harsh chemical conditions.

The study, carried out in collaboration with the University of Science and Technology Beijing (USTB), shows that tiny carbon particles made from apple leaves can shield metals from corrosion without using toxic chemicals commonly employed in industry.

The authors of the study are Ambrish Singh of the NU’s Department of Chemistry and Yujie Qiang, Ye Zhang, Xinyang Liu, and Ying Jin of the USTB’s National Centre for Materials Service Safety. The former is a visiting professor at the USTB.

Their findings were published in the Journal of Alloys and Compounds, a leading international scientific journal.

Corrosion is a costly global problem, damaging pipelines, storage tanks, and industrial equipment in oil and gas, chemical processing, power generation, and other sectors. Conventional corrosion inhibitors often contain hazardous substances that pose risks to both the environment and human health.

The researchers found that their apple leaf-based solution, known as carbon quantum dots, performed exceptionally well even at low concentrations. In acidic conditions—where metals corrode faster—the material reduced copper corrosion by 94%, rising to 96.2% over time, levels considered highly promising for industrial use.

Explaining its practical value, Prof. Singh stated that industries operating in acidic environments face high maintenance costs and safety risks due to corrosion. “Biomass-based inhibitors like the apple-leaf material could extend the life of industrial equipment while being safer for workers and the environment,” he said.

Prof. Qiang added that the team used a green processing method to convert apple leaves into nanoscale carbon particles. These particles cling tightly to metal surfaces, forming a stable protective layer that blocks corrosive chemicals.

While the results are currently based on laboratory tests, the team plans to move toward pilot-scale trials and real-world applications, including combining the material with existing protective coatings

Calling the work a major step forward, Nagaland University Vice-Chancellor Jagadish Kumar Patnaik said the study shows how agricultural waste can be turned into a high-impact green technology. “Such innovations reduce dependence on toxic chemicals while addressing real-world industrial challenges,” he said.

Beyond corrosion protection, the research highlights the potential of waste-to-wealth solutions. By converting farm residue into valuable nanomaterials, the technology could support circular economy models and open up new income opportunities for farming communities.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

“I am the President of the European Council but I am also an overseas Indian citizen… for me, it has a special meaning. I am very proud of my roots in Goa, where my father’s family came from. The connection between Europe and India is something personal to me,” Mr. Costa said.

As India and the European Union announce their free trade agreement (FTA), European Council President Antonio Costa remembered his Indian roots, showing his Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card, and speaking about how the deal has a “special meaning” for him.

He made the remarks during a joint press meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in New Delhi on Tuesday (January 27, 2026).

Mr. Costa spoke about his family’s roots in Goa. “Today is a historic moment. We are opening a new chapter in our relations – on trade, on security, on people to people ties,” he said.

“I am the President of the European Council but I am also an overseas Indian citizen. Then, as you can imagine, for me, it has a special meaning. I am very proud of my roots in Goa, where my father’s family came from. The connection between Europe and India is something personal to me.” he added.

“Also because we conclude today our trade negotiations we relaunched at the Leaders’ meeting that I had the pleasure to host, in May 2021, in my previous capacity,” he further said.

In 2017, Mr. Costa was addressing a Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event, saying he had his roots in Madgaon in Goa and was proud of his Indian origin. He said then that he still had relatives in Madgaon and said, “Madgoan is the place where my father spent his childhood and had a home. I will visit my relatives.”

Meanwhile, India and the EU on Tuesday (January 27, 2026) sealed a FTA — billed the “mother of all deals” — with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the top EU leadership unveiling a grand agenda to leverage trade and defence to shore up ties.

The two sides also inked two crucial pacts — one on security and defence collaboration and another on the mobility of Indian talent to Europe — after Prime Minister Modi hosted EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Mr. Costa for summit talks. The two sides have also agreed on a strategy document titled, ‘Towards 2030- a joint India-European Union Comprehensive Strategic Agenda.’

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Free Trade Agreement gives Indian businesses easier access to Europe while Europe gets its biggest ever market opening.

“We have created a free trade zone of two billion people.” That was how European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen summed up Tuesday’s landmark pact between India and the European Union, as the two sides finally clinched a free trade agreement nearly two decades in the making.

Von der Leyen was in New Delhi alongside European Council President Antonio Costa as Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed the conclusion of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement.

Modi said the accord would strengthen manufacturing in India, expand services and bolster global investor confidence in Asia’s third-largest economy. “People around the world are calling this ‘the mother of all deals’,” he said. “Let’s be a double-engine of growth.”

The agreement links two economies that together account for roughly a quarter of global GDP and creates what Brussels describes as a “strategic alignment between the world’s two largest democracies” amid rising geopolitical tensions.

The EU, which represents a 450-million-strong market, is framing the pact as far more than a trade accord, saying it will strengthen both economic and political ties.

“Europe and India are making history today,” von der Leyen, who was the Republic Day chief guest, said. “This is only the beginning.”

The trade talks gathered pace as both sides began searching for new partners in response to Washington’s punishing tariff policies.

Europe is seeking to reduce its US dependence, while India, facing 50-per-cent American tariffs on key exports, is racing to develop new markets.

“Diversification is absolutely essential,” said Amitendu Palit, research lead on trade and economics at the Institute of South Asian Studies, speaking to Bloomberg.

The scale of the agreement is unprecedented for both sides. The EU says it expects its exports to India to double as tariffs are removed or sharply reduced, saving European exporters up to €4 billion a year in duties.

Under the deal, the EU will eliminate or cut duties on 99.5 per cent of Indian goods over seven years, delivering a major boost to labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, marine products and sports goods.

These industries have been among the hardest hit by US trade barriers.

India is getting “preferential access to one of the world’s richest markets,” the EU said in a statement. For Europe, the pact marks a decisive step towards anchoring itself more firmly in Asia at a time of strained relations with the US.

India, meanwhile, will gradually reduce tariffs on 97 per cent of EU trade by value, opening its tightly guarded market to European manufacturers while retaining safeguards.

New Delhi has agreed to tariff cuts for the EU that it has not offered to any other partner, giving European firms a significant competitive edge in India’s fast-growing market of 1.45 billion people.

One of the biggest breakthroughs for the EU is in automobiles.

In good news for BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen, India will allow up to 250,000 European-made vehicles a year to enter at sharply reduced duties, with tariffs on higher-end cars falling over time from as high as 110 per cent to 10 per cent.

Cheaper mass-market vehicles selling below Rs 25 lakh will remain protected, a move intended to spur European manufacturers to produce locally in India.

Tariffs on premium European wines will also be cut in stages, falling from 150 per cent to as low as 20 per cent over seven years, while lower-priced wines are excluded.

Duties on olive oil and a range of processed foods will be eliminated, though India has drawn firm red lines around dairy, cereals, meat and other sensitive agricultural products, reflecting food security and farmer concerns.

Beyond goods, services have emerged as one of the EU’s biggest wins.

Brussels says the agreement contains India’s most ambitious commitments on financial services in any trade deal. The EU has also opened 144 services sub-sectors in such areas as banking and insurance to India and made commitments on student mobility and post-study work visas.

For India, the services and digital chapters are critical. The agreement creates a more favourable operating framework for Indian IT, fintech and digital service providers operating in Europe. Indian manufacturers are also expected to become more deeply integrated into European supply chains for electronics, engineering goods, auto parts and pharmaceuticals, with customs and regulatory procedures simplified to make trade easier and cheaper.

Sustainability was another contentious area.

India resisted Europe’s carbon border tax, which threatens to raise costs for exports such as steel, aluminium and cement. While the EU granted India no exemption, it promised that any flexibility offered to other countries would also apply to India, alongside technical support. The pact also includes commitments on labour standards, women’s advancement and climate cooperation.

The pact, which comes on the heels of recent trade agreements with the UK, New Zealand and Oman, will now undergo legal vetting, known as “scrubbing”. That process is expected to take around six months, before the deal is sent to the European Parliament for ratification.

If approved, the FTA could enter into force early next year.

Bilateral trade in goods between India and the EU now stands at about $136 billion a year and is projected to exceed $200 billion within a few years. Services trade, already worth around $80 billion, is also expected to expand sharply.

Next on India’s trade agenda is a push for a deeper partnership with the Mercosur trading bloc made up of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay as Modi seeks a deal that would give New Delhi reliable long-term access to key raw materials such as lithium and copper, while deepening energy cooperation.

source/content: telegraphonline.com (headline edited)

Mr. Garg, with over three decades of automotive experience, brings in the right expertise to lead HMIL’s second phase of growth in India, the company said.

Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) on Thursday (January 1, 2026) announced that Tarun Garg has assumed charge as the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer  (MD & CEO).

With this, he becomes the first Indian national to take on this leadership role within HMIL, since the company’s establishment 29 years ago.

Mr. Garg, with over three decades of automotive experience, brings in the right expertise to lead HMIL’s second phase of growth in India, the company said. 

“India’s automotive industry is at an exciting inflection point, driven by innovation, sustainability and evolving customer aspirations. It is an extraordinary honour to lead Hyundai Motor India at this defining moment in our three-decade long journey,” Mr. Garg said in a statement. 

“My vision is to build on our strong foundation while accelerating HMIL’s transformation towards sustainable growth, technological leadership and unmatched customer delight. We will continue to reinforce our commitment to ‘Make in India’ and position HMIL as a global hub for exports,” he said.

“Aligned with Hyundai’s global vision of ‘Progress for Humanity,’ we will strengthen Hyundai’s legacy and create meaningful mobility solutions that not only empower people but also connect communities and enrich lives. The future is ours to build and I am committed to leading HMIL with agility, conviction and purpose,” he added.

Mr. Garg’s leadership will focus on four key pillars which include Future-Ready Strategy: Accelerating EVs, hybrids, connected mobility and much more through ₹45,000 crore investment roadmap by FY 2030; People & Market Focus: Empowering employees and strengthening HMIL dealer and supplier networks; Customer-Centric Approach: Deepening trust and delivering seamless experiences across all HMIL touchpoints and Make in India, Made for the World Impetus: Enhancing indigenization across HMIL plants and positioning HMIL as an export hub for emerging markets.

“Under his stewardship, first as the Head of Sales, Service & Marketing and then as the Whole-time Director and Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Garg’s tenure at HMIL had shaped meaningful contributions that steadily advanced the company’s growth and direction,” the company said.

HMIL achieved record-breaking sales for three consecutive years, delivered highest-ever profitability and EBITDA margins and successfully executed the largest IPO in the history of Indian equity markets in 2024, while driving SUV segment leadership through a sharp focus on profitability, customer experience and digitalization, it added.

“Beyond business metrics, Mr. Garg exemplifies people-first leadership and community impact. His inclusive vision led to the launch of “Samarth by Hyundai,” fostering awareness and accessibility for people with disabilities in India. Known for humility and purpose- driven leadership, he aligns closely with Hyundai Motor Group’s global vision of Progress for Humanity,” it further said.

Prior to HMIL, Mr. Garg had worked at Maruti Suzuki India, advancing through key roles to Executive Director of Marketing, Logistics, Parts & Accessories.

Academically, he is a Mechanical Engineer Delhi Technological University (formerly known as Delhi College of Engineering) and holds an MBA from IIM Lucknow.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The DRDO carried out a salvo launch of two indigenous Pralay missiles from the same launcher on December 31. The test was held off the coast of Odisha.

The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) carried out a salvo launch of two indigenous Pralay missiles from the same launcher on Wednesday (December 31, 2025). The test was held off the coast of Odisha at around 10:30 in the morning. The flight tests were conducted as part of user evaluation trials.

According to the Ministry of Defence, both missiles followed the intended trajectory and met all mission objectives, as confirmed by tracking sensors deployed by the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur. Terminal events were validated through telemetry systems on ships positioned near the designated impact points.

Pralay is a solid propellant, quasi-ballistic missile equipped with state-of-the-art guidance and navigation systems to ensure high precision. The missile is capable of carrying multiple types of warheads to engage a wide range of targets.

The tests were witnessed by DRDO scientists, representatives from the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, and industry partners.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, public sector undertakings, and industry for the successful salvo launch, stating that it has established the reliability of the Pralay missile system. Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D, and chairman of the DRDO, Dr. Samir V. Kamat, also congratulated the teams involved and said the achievement indicates the system’s imminent readiness for induction into the armed forces.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Rachana Kamani from Gujarat has been added to the FIFA list of women referees for 2026, while Ashwin Kumar (Puducherry) and Aditya Purkayastha (Delhi) figured among men.

Three more Indians, including a woman, have been added to the list of FIFA Referees by the world football governing body, the national federation said on Wednesday (December 31, 2025).

Rachana Kamani from Gujarat has been added to the FIFA list of women referees for 2026, while Ashwin Kumar (Puducherry) and Aditya Purkayastha (Delhi) figured among men.

Kumar and Purkayastha have completed their AFC Referee Academy course in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, while Rachana is currently undergoing the same course, the All India Football Federation said.

Two Indians — Muralitharan Pandurangan (Puducherry) and Peter Christopher (Maharashtra) — have been inducted as FIFA Assistant Referees.

As many as 19 match officials from India are a part of the FIFA list of match officials for 2026.

Indians in FIFA International List of Match Officials 2026: Referees: Venkatesh R, Harish Kundu, Senthil Nathan Sekaran, Crystal John, Ashwin Kumar, Aditya Purkayastha, Ranjita Devi Tekcham, Rachana Hasmukhbhai Kamani.

Assistant Referees: Vairamuthu Parasuraman, Sumanta Dutta, Arun Sasidharan Pillai, Ujjal Halder, Muralitharan Pandurangan, Dipesh Manohar Sawant, Sourav Sarkar, Christopher Peter, Riiohlang Dhar, Elangbam Debala Devi.

Futsal Referee: Vishal Mahendrabhai Vaja.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

From the icy heights of Siachen to the cold deserts of Ladakh and disaster-hit civilian areas, these animals have quietly shared the burden of duty, courage and sacrifice.

This Republic Day, Kartavya Path will witness a rare and stirring spectacle as animals of the Indian Army march in step, embodying endurance, sacrifice and India’s unmatched high-altitude military capability.

According to the Army, for the first time ever, a specially curated animal contingent of the Remount & Veterinary Corps (RVC) will be showcased at the Republic Day parade, highlighting the indispensable role played by animals in securing India’s most challenging frontiers.

The contingent will feature two Bactrian camels, four Zanskar ponies, four raptors, 10 Indian-breed Army dogs and six conventional military dogs currently in service. Together, they represent a unique blend of tradition, innovation and self-reliance within the Army’s operational ecosystem.

Leading the formation will be the hardy Bactrian camels, recently inducted for operations in the cold deserts of Ladakh. Exceptionally adapted to extreme cold, thin air and altitudes above 15,000 feet, these camels can carry loads of up to 250 kg while traversing long distances with minimal water and feed. Their induction has significantly strengthened logistical support and mounted patrolling capabilities along the Line of Actual Control, particularly in sandy terrain and steep gradients, the Army added.

Extraordinary endurance

The Army further informed that marching alongside them will be the Zanskar ponies, a rare indigenous mountain breed from Ladakh. Despite their small size, these ponies are known for extraordinary endurance, capable of carrying 40 to 60 kg over long distances at altitudes exceeding 15,000 feet and in temperatures plunging to minus 40 degrees Celsius. Inducted in 2020, they have served in some of the harshest terrains, including the Siachen Glacier, supporting logistics and mounted patrols that can cover up to 70 km in a single day.

Adding a dimension of aerial vigilance will be four raptors, employed for bird-strike control and surveillance, showcasing the Army’s innovative use of natural capabilities to enhance operational safety and effectiveness.

A major highlight of the parade will be the Army dogs, often referred to as the “Silent Warriors” of the Indian Army. Raised, trained and nurtured by the RVC Centre and College in Meerut, these dogs play a vital role in counter-terrorism operations, explosive and mine detection, tracking, guarding, disaster response and search-and-rescue missions. Over the years, several Army dogs and their handlers have been honoured with gallantry awards for acts of exceptional courage in combat and humanitarian operations.

Indigenous dog breeds

In line with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, the Army has increasingly inducted indigenous dog breeds such as Mudhol Hound, Rampur Hound, Chippiparai, Kombai and Rajapalayam. Their presence on Kartavya Path will underscore India’s growing self-reliance in defence and the successful integration of native breeds into specialised military roles.

As the animal contingent marches past the saluting dais on Republic Day 2026, it will serve as a poignant reminder that India’s defence strength is built not by machines and soldiers alone. From the icy heights of Siachen to the cold deserts of Ladakh and disaster-hit civilian areas, these animals have quietly shared the burden of duty, courage and sacrifice.

They will march not merely as support elements, but as warriors on four legs — living symbols of resilience, loyalty and the Army’s unwavering resolve to protect the nation under all conditions, the Army added.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)