Presented as a fully mobile and AI driven counter drone platform, the Ranger has been developed to detect, track and neutralise hostile drones even while in motion, addressing a long standing vulnerability in India’s defence grid.

Presented as a fully mobile and AI driven counter drone platform, the Ranger has been developed to detect, track and neutralise hostile drones even while in motion, addressing a long standing vulnerability in India’s defence grid.

Unlike traditional anti-drone systems that operate from fixed positions, the Ranger has been conceptualised as a combat vehicle capable of on the move surveillance, real time patrolling and rapid interception.

The Ranger is built on an all-terrain 4×4 Toyota Hilux platform and can detect drones up to 10 kilometres away and neutralise threats within a 4 kilometre envelope.

It is equipped with an integrated cyber takeover unit, GNSS spoofing technology, RF jamming capability and a spring-loaded kill switch for clean and autonomous takedowns.

Using AI, radar and jamming systems, the vehicle is designed to secure convoys, bases and borders by stopping threats ranging from small quadcopters to coordinated swarm attacks.

The urgency behind its development stems from recent national security incidents that underscored drones as a preferred conduit for cross border smuggling and illegal activity.

India has witnessed a spike in ISI-linked weapons being pushed deep into its territory and a surge in drone based drug drops that feed a Rs 3 lakh crore narcotics trade.

Security agencies have also neutralised hundreds of Pakistani drones this year alone. These developments made a fast and mobile counter drone response critical.

Kiran Raju, CEO and Founder of Indrajaal, highlighted the mission guiding the project and said that every hostile drone taken down translates into lives saved and internal security strengthened. He added that the company’s core objective is to defend freedom.

The ADPV is built to provide seamless and dynamic coverage across border roads, canals, agricultural belts, critical infrastructure zones and dense urban areas.

Lieutenant General Devendra Pratap Pandey, Retired, who attended the launch as guest of honour, lauded the innovation and said that India’s youth deserve a safer nation free from the influence of international crime networks.

He called technologies like the Anti-Drone Patrol Vehicle as shields protecting citizens, farmers and future generations and said that the country will value such a transformative contribution.

Indrajaal is recognised as India’s pioneering autonomous Counter UAS and air defence technology enterprise.

Its proprietary autonomy engine, SkyOS, integrates multi sensor intelligence and real time decision making into a unified C5ISRT framework.

The firm has secured ARDTC certification for Counter UAS deployment and has already demonstrated operational success.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

This transition is driven by an innovation-focused ecosystem that emphasizes biosimilars, peptides, complex generics, and next-generation biologics.

 India’s pharmaceutical sector is currently transitioning from a focus on generic drugs to the development of next-generation innovative biologics, as highlighted by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

This transition is driven by an innovation-focused ecosystem that emphasizes biosimilars, peptides, complex generics, and next-generation biologics.

Dr. R. Chandrashekar, Joint Drugs Controller at CDSCO, spoke at the CPHI & PMEC India Expo, stating, “This transition is being accelerated by government reforms and CDSCO initiatives, including streamlined approval processes, reduced regulatory barriers, the decriminalization of non-serious offenses, and the endorsement of research and development (R&D) projects.” He emphasized that these government initiatives have significantly changed the R&D landscape in the country.

“The recommendation of R&D projects worth ₹5,000 crore and the newly launched Hospital Finance scheme of ₹1,00,000 crore further strengthen the country’s R&D framework,” Chandrashekar stated.

At the event, experts from India’s pharmaceutical industry urged the sector to pursue value-driven innovations such as peptides, biosimilars, and targeted therapies.

Namit Joshi, Chairman of the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), noted, “With patents expiring, Indian manufacturers are well-positioned to enter high-value markets.” He pointed out that breakthrough classes of drugs, like GLP-1 inhibitors, are redefining global health outcomes, and Indian companies need to keep pace with these advancements.

GLP-1 receptor agonists are a ground-breaking class of medications that mimic the natural GLP-1 hormone to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity, offering additional benefits for cardiovascular, renal, and neurodegenerative diseases.

“To enhance India’s role in global healthcare, a shift towards broader thinking and innovation is essential,” Joshi added.

The 18th edition of the expo, organized by Informa Markets in India, will take place from November 25 to 27, 2025, at the India Expo Centre in Greater Noida, Delhi-NCR.

The expo is expected to bring together over 2,000 exhibitors from more than 120 countries, including China, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and South Korea. It serves as a hub for collaboration in pharmaceutical machinery, packaging, ingredients, and advanced lab technologies.

Yogesh Mudras, Managing Director of Informa Markets in India, noted, “India’s pharmaceutical sector has achieved remarkable growth, with exports doubling to USD 30 billion and nearly half of global life sciences leaders establishing operations here.”

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

The agreement was signed in New Delhi by BEL CMD Manoj Jain and SED Executive Vice President Alexandre Ziegler. Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar and Safran CEO Olivier Andries were present for the ceremony.

India’s Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and France’s Safran Electronics and Defence (SED) signed a Joint Venture Cooperation Agreement (JVCA) on Monday (November 24, 2025) to manufacture the Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER) precision-guided air-to-ground weapon in India.

The agreement was signed in New Delhi by BEL CMD Manoj Jain and SED Executive Vice President Alexandre Ziegler. Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar and Safran CEO Olivier Andries were present for the ceremony.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the JV is a major boost to the Make in India initiative. The JVCA builds on an MoU signed during Aero India on February 11, 2025, and confirms plans to establish a 50:50 joint venture company in India. The private limited entity will focus on the local manufacture, supply, and lifecycle support for HAMMER munitions for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy.

Indigenisation levels will be progressively increased to nearly 60%, with key electronics, sub-assemblies and mechanical components to be produced domestically. Production transfer will take place in phases, with BEL responsible for final assembly, testing and quality assurance, the Ministry added.

The HAMMER system, already combat-proven, is valued for its precision, modular architecture and compatibility with platforms such as the Rafale and the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft.

The agreement marks a significant step in strengthening India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem while leveraging SED’s global expertise in smart precision-guided weapons.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The GSAT-7R is the successor to the GSAT-7 “Rukmini,” India’s first dedicated military satellite, launched in 2013. While Rukmini revolutionised naval communications by providing real-time data links across the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, the GSAT-7R significantly upgrades these capabilities.

The successful launch of India’s CMS-03 (GSAT-7R) satellite aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket on November 2, 2025, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota will provide a major boost to the country’s pursuit of maritime security and technological self-reliance.

The 4,400 kg multi-band communication satellite, designed and developed indigenously by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is the heaviest communication satellite launched into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO) from Indian soil. It will play a crucial role in enhancing the Indian Navy’s operational reach, situational awareness, and surveillance capabilities across the Indian Ocean Region.

Secure communication coverage

The GSAT-7R is the successor to the GSAT-7 “Rukmini,” India’s first dedicated military satellite, launched in 2013. While Rukmini revolutionised naval communications by providing real-time data links across the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, the GSAT-7R significantly upgrades these capabilities. Equipped with multi-band transponders (UHF, S, C, and Ku bands), the GSAT-7R enables seamless voice, data, and video communication between naval ships, submarines, aircraft, and Maritime Operations Centres (MOCs). The satellite’s advanced payload ensures high-capacity, secure, and jam-resistant communication — vital for network-centric warfare and joint operations with the Army and the Air Force.

With a lifespan of 15 years, the GSAT-7R extends secure communication coverage up to 2,000 km from India’s coastline, encompassing vast stretches of the Indian Ocean Region. This expanded coverage will allow the Indian Navy to monitor critical sea lanes, chokepoints, and potential maritime threats more effectively. It will support continuous coordination among naval assets deployed on anti-piracy, anti-submarine, and humanitarian missions, ensuring real-time situational updates and rapid response capabilities.

Moreover, the GSAT-7R will enhance maritime domain awareness (MDA) by integrating space-based communication with surveillance platforms, such as coastal radars, reconnaissance aircraft, and unmanned systems. This synergy will allow the Navy to maintain an uninterrupted watch over the region’s dynamic maritime environment, strengthening India’s ability to deter and respond to any hostile activity.

According to experts, the launch of the GSAT-7R underscores India’s growing self-reliance in defence space technology under the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. By securing robust and indigenous satellite communication infrastructure, the Navy can operate independently of foreign systems, ensuring confidentiality and reliability in strategic operations.

Quantum leap

In essence, the GSAT-7R represents a quantum leap in India’s maritime communication and surveillance architecture, empowering the Indian Navy to maintain a vigilant, connected, and technologically advanced presence across the Indian Ocean Region.

The Navy’s satellites, sensors, radars, unmanned aerial vehicles, and surveillance aircraft relay real-time data to the Information Management and Analysis Centre (IMAC), now being upgraded into a National Maritime Domain Awareness (NMDA) platform. The NMDA will integrate data from multiple sources to create a unified operational picture for naval commanders. Using AI-enabled analytics, it will enhance situational awareness, improve surveillance, and support swift decision-making. The system will help detect and counter threats such as illegal fishing, smuggling, piracy, and maritime terrorism, strengthening India’s maritime security and safeguarding its strategic interests across the Indian Ocean Region.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The ITBP, with a manpower of more than one lakh personnel, has its border posts ranging between the height of 9,000 feet and over 14,000 feet, affected by inclement weather and low levels of oxygen.

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police force, which guards the 3,488 km-long India-China LAC, is establishing 10 all-women border posts along this arduous and icy frontier, the director general of the paramilitary said.

The force, as part of its ambitious “forwardisation” plan, initiated post the 2020 military clash in Ladakh, has also moved its 215 border posts forward along the front on India’s north and eastern flank so far.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) DG Praveen Kumar said this during the 64th Raising Day parade of the force held in Jammu on Saturday (November 22, 2025).

“We have worked on the forwardisation plan and, as a result, the number of forward-deployed BOPs (border outposts) is now 215 as compared to 180.

“The establishment of seven new battalions and a sector headquarters has not only strengthened this plan (forwardisation) but has also enhanced our reach and supervision of the forward areas…,” the DG said.

The Centre had sanctioned seven more battalions and a sector office comprising about 9,400 personnel for the ITBP in 2023.

The DG said the force will establish 41 more such forward bases along the India-China Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the near future in order to “strengthen security and coordination”.

As part of enhancing the role of women combatants, the ITBP is in the process of establishing two all-women BOPs in Ladakh’s Lukung and Thangi in Himachal Pradesh.

Eight more all-women BOPs will be made operational on this front, the DG said.

The ITBP chief said the training institutions of the force have been “reorganised” and five new skilling modules have been launched for the troops, including on subjects like mountain warfare and tactical survival.

The ITBP, with a manpower of more than one lakh personnel, has its border posts ranging between the height of 9,000 feet and over 14,000 feet, affected by inclement weather and low levels of oxygen.

The force, raised in 1962, functions under the command of the Union Home Ministry.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

At present, the duration of warship construction has been reduced to 31 months as opposed to 55-60 months in the past.

On May 10, the Indian Navy was told to stand down, 200 nautical miles short of Karachi, after India and Pakistan ceased hostilities. It is believed that in a review meeting soon after, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Navy that its time would come.

On Diwali, Modi spent more than 17 hours on Indian aircraft carrier INS Vikrant watching night-fighter operations and live firing off the coast of Goa. But there’s more to New Delhi’s renewed focus on its Navy than statements of intent.India’s focus on enhancing its maritime military capabilities and power projection in the Indo-Pacific, has meant that the Indian Navy has set a record by launching no less than 12 (11 warships, one submarine) since December 2024.

Today, the duration of warship construction (from keel laying to commissioning) has been reduced to 31 months as opposed to 55-60 months in the past. Guided missile destroyer INS Surat, commissioned by PM Modi, on January 15, was constructed in a mere 31 months. If 12 surface and sub-surface combatants is a record — it is — it won’t last long with the Indian Navy planning to add 17 ships in 2026. This includes guided missile frigates, next generation off-shore patrol vessels, multi-purpose vessels, and anti-submarine warfare vessels .

The Indian Navy is now commissioning one ship in 40 days but the numbers pale in comparison to the US, which does one ship in 18 days, and China, which does one in a week’s time.Besides building warships, the Indian Navy is acquiring submarine deterrence with Project 75 I (air-independent propulsion or AIP) submarine set to sign this financial year. Price negotiations are currently underway and the government has set aside some ₹42,968 crore for acquisition of six submarines to be constructed at Mazagon Dockyards Limited with AIP being provided by German firm ThyssenKrupp Maritime Systems under a joint venture.China commissioned its state of the art 80,000 ton Fujian aircraft carrier on November 5, and India is concerned about Beijing helping Islamabad build its Navy with new frigates and submarines.

As of now Pakistan has 53 combatants in its Navy with five submarines (Agosta 90B and Agosta 70), four Zulfiquar and four Tughril class frigates. Four Yuan (Hangor) class submarines are being built in Wuhan for delivery to Pakistan in December 2025 and January 2026. Four more Hangor classes will be constructed in Karachi and delivered end-December 2026 onwards. And Pakistan will get delivery of its Jinnah class frigates in June 2030.Apart from monitoring the Pakistan Navy, India is noting maritime developments in the Indo-Pacific with the Chinese PLAN expanding its area of influence all the way up to Gulf of Aden.

On November 12-14, Indian Navy Chief Admiral Tripathi visited INDO-PACOM headquarters in Hawaii and met the US Indo-Pacific fleet commander Admiral Samuel J Paparo. The two navies have decided to increase the complexity of bilateral exercises, training and port visits keeping the Indo-Pacific in mind. With Indian Navy set to acquire a nuclear attack submarine from Russia in 2028 and 26 Rafale-Marine jets a year later, India’s power projection on high seas is set to increase manifolds this decade.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

The contract also includes a comprehensive integrated logistics support package for initial deployment, maintenance, and life-cycle sustainment, L&T said in a filing to BSE.

Infrastructure major Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (L&T) and BAE Systems have bagged a contract from the Indian Army for supply of BvS10 Sindhu – a specialised all-terrain armoured vehicle, according to a regulatory filing.

Under the contract, L&T will indigenously produce the BvS10 Sindhu at its Armoured Systems Complex in Hazira with technical and design support from BAE Systems Hägglunds, the original manufacturer of the BvS10 platform.

The contract also includes a comprehensive integrated logistics support package for initial deployment, maintenance, and life-cycle sustainment, L&T said in a filing to BSE.

The BvS10 Sindhu is an upgraded variant of the proven BvS10 all-terrain vehicle with adaptations tailored specifically for high altitude, desert, marshland, and amphibious environments, the filing said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The new GE technology — for which the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has recently been granted a patent — deploys the so-called TnpB or Transposon-associated proteins.

In a boost to indigenous efforts at genome-edited (GE) crop breeding, Indian scientists have developed what is claimed to be a “miniature alternative” to the proprietary CRISPR-Cas proteins-based technology to precisely cut and tweak the DNA of plants.

The new GE technology — for which the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has recently been granted a patent — deploys the so-called TnpB or Transposon-associated proteins. These, just like the most widely used CRISPR-associated Cas9 and Cas12a proteins, act as “molecular scissors” to cleave the DNA of a gene at a predetermined target site and change its sequence. Such editing is aimed at bringing forth desirable alterations in that gene’s expression and function.

“What we have developed is a new GE system based on TnpB, instead of Cas proteins. It offers an alternative, yet highly effective next-generation tool for genome editing in plants,” said Kutubuddin Ali Molla, senior scientist at ICAR’s Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) in Cuttack, Odisha and lead inventor of the technology.

The CRISPR-Cas technologies are controlled mainly by the Broad Institute (a partnership between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University) and the US seeds-cum-crop protection chemicals giant Corteva Agriscience. While Broad Institute owns the patents for CRISPR-Cas12a, Corteva has a joint licencing agreement with the former to offer access to CRISPR-Cas9 technology for agricultural applications.

While scientists have developed rice varieties using CRISPR-Cas technology, they face a major hindrance in commercial cultivation since the intellectual property (IP) rights are with global companies/institutions that may demand license fees. Here’s where indigenous genome-edited crop breeding tools will help.

The advantage with the TnpB proteins used by Dr Molla’s team is their compactness: They are much smaller, having 400-500 amino acids per molecule, compared with 1,000-1,400 for Cas9 and about 1,300 for Cas12a.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

IIT Delhi retained top position as India’s best sustainable university in QS rankings for the second conecutive year, followed by IIT Bombay and IIT Kharagpur.

The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT-D) has once again achieved the top spot as India’s best performing institution for the second straight year, according to Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) university sustainability rankings 2026.

Securing a rank of 205, IIT-D was placed at the spot of the most sustainable university of India this year, with an impressive score of 83.1. It was followed by Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT-B), ranked at 235 and Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT-KGP), ranked at 236, according to the report released on Tuesday.

Making in to the top 100 global institutions for employability and outcomes, IIT Delhi bagged the 93rd rank followed by IIT Kharagpur which ranked 96th. IIT Bombay was ranked 100th under the environmental impact category.

With 26 new entries this year, India is one of only four higher education systems that have more than 100 universities feature in the rankings.

“Of the 103 universities from India, 32 improve their ranking this year, 15 retain the same rank as last year and 30 drop. Indian Institute of Technology Delhi is once again India’s best performing institution, this year appearing at 205th,” London-based QS said in a statement.

Among the 15 IITs that feature in the ranking this year, six have improved their ranking in 2026 compared to that of 2025. “IIT Delhi is one of six IITs that has made significant progress since the inaugural ranking three years ago,” it added.

Other Indian universities that made it to the list

IIT Madras, IIT Kanpur, IIT Roorkee, Vellore Institute of Technology, Indian institute of science (IISc) Bangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, IIT BHU Varanasi, and IIT (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad were the other universities to make it to the top 700.

“Overall, Indian universities excel in knowledge exchange and environmental sustainability. The higher education system also boasts some outstanding individual performances, especially among the IITs and institutions such as the university of Delhi. The role of higher education in the fight against climate change is highlighted in these rankings. India’s role in sustainable development can neither be understated,” said Jessica Turner, CEO of QS.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

The first of the eight Anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW SWC) being built by the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is named after Mahe, the historic port town in Puducherry, and symbolises India’s rich maritime heritage.

Anti-submarine warfare shallow-water craft Mahe, armed with torpedoes, multi-functional anti-submarine rockets and advanced radars and sonars, will be commissioned into the Indian Navy on November 24, officials said on Sunday.

The first of eight ASW-SWC vessels built by Cochin Shipyard Limited and named after the historic port town in Puducherry, Mahe reflects what the Navy calls India’s maritime heritage.

Anti-submarine warfare shallow-water craft Mahe, armed with torpedoes, multi-functional anti-submarine rockets and advanced radars and sonars, will be commissioned into the Indian Navy on November 24, officials said on Sunday.

The first of eight ASW-SWC vessels built by Cochin Shipyard Limited and named after the historic port town in Puducherry, Mahe reflects what the Navy calls India’s maritime heritage.

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“With her blend of firepower, stealth and mobility, the ship is designed to hunt submarines, conduct coastal patrols, and secure India’s vital maritime approaches,” a Navy spokesperson said.

Delivered to the Navy on October 23, the vessel marks another milestone in indigenous shipbuilding under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, with the service describing the compact platform as agile, precise and built for endurance.

With more than 80 per cent indigenous content, the Mahe-class showcases India’s growing mastery in warship design, construction and integration, it said.

Named after the historic coastal town on the Malabar Coast, the ship’s crest features an ‘Urumi’, the flexible sword of ‘Kalarippayattu’, a martial art from Kerala, symbolising agility, precision, and lethal grace, the Navy said.

“The commissioning of ‘Mahe’ will mark the arrival of a new generation of indigenous shallow-water combatants — sleek, swift, and resolutely Indian,” it said.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)