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Sanjay Kumar joins SpiceJet as Executive Director

SpiceJet has appointed Sanjay Kumar as Executive Director, effective November 3, 2025, as the airline seeks to enhance its strategic initiatives amid ongoing challenges. Kumar, a seasoned aviation professional with over 30 years of experience, previously served as Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer at IndiGo and has held various senior roles in the industry, including a stint at AirAsia India. In his new role, he will focus on the airline's expansion, operational excellence, and business transformation, reporting directly to Chairman Ajay Singh. Kumar's extensive background in network planning and revenue management is expected to be pivotal as SpiceJet aims to strengthen its position in the competitive aviation market. This marks Kumar's second tenure with SpiceJet, having previously worked as Vice President for planning and marketing from 2001 to 2007. sources

Published:
Nov 04 2025, 12 pm

India ranks 3rd globally in clean energy projects, report says

India has emerged as the world’s third-largest hub for clean energy industrial projects, boasting a total of 65 initiatives, according to the Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA). This positions India behind only China and the US, with projects spanning sectors such as chemicals, steel, cement, aluminium, and aviation, primarily located in states like Odisha, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. The ITA report highlights that if fully realized, these projects could attract over $150 billion in investments, create more than 200,000 jobs, and significantly reduce emissions by 160-170 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent annually. However, challenges remain, including limited demand for clean products, financing issues, and infrastructure gaps, which hinder progress towards Final Investment Decisions (FID). ITA emphasizes the need for supportive policies and efficient permitting processes to facilitate the transition to a sustainable industrial future, while also addressing the barriers that currently impede project advancement. sources

Published:
Nov 04 2025, 4 pm

Somanath: India requires AI, satellite ocean mission, deep-sea tech

Former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath inaugurated the fourth edition of the International Symposium on Marine Ecosystems (MECOS 4) at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) on Tuesday, emphasizing the need to integrate space-based oceanography into marine research to enhance the blue economy and support coastal fishing communities. He advocated for a mission to leverage technology, innovation, and data integration for ocean exploration, highlighting the necessity of deploying satellites for ocean observation and improving real-time data collection through buoys and unmanned aerial vehicles. Somanath also called for the incorporation of artificial intelligence and machine learning in ocean data systems to bolster resource management. The event also honored marine scientist G. Gopakumar with the Fourth Dr. S. Jones Memorial Award for his significant contributions to mariculture, particularly in breeding species that have empowered coastal communities and promoted sustainable livelihoods. J.K. Jena, Deputy Director General of ICAR, presided over the event. sources

Published:
Nov 04 2025, 5 pm

Zuppa partners with Divide By Zero for drone fabrication unit

Chennai-based drone and defense technology firm Zuppa has partnered with 3D printer manufacturer Divide By Zero Technologies (DBZ) to create mobile rapid fabrication units designed for on-site drone production at the frontlines. These containerized systems will enable the 3D printing and assembly of drones, allowing for quick repairs and mission-specific customizations within hours, thereby reducing dependence on centralized production and logistics. Venkatesh Sai, Co-Founder and Technical Director at Zuppa, emphasized that this collaboration marks a significant advancement towards self-reliance in frontline technology, providing defense forces with enhanced autonomy and adaptability. Swapnil Sansare, Founder and CEO of DBZ, echoed this sentiment, stating that the partnership transforms the vision of mobile, rapid manufacturing into a practical solution, effectively bringing high-speed 3D printing capabilities from factory settings to the battlefield. sources

Published:
Nov 04 2025, 3 pm

Govt subsidizes Ammonium Sulphate as urea alternative

The Indian government has officially included Ammonium Sulphate in its nutrient-based subsidy scheme for the Rabi season of 2025-26, promoting it as a balanced and environmentally friendly alternative to urea. The subsidy will be set at ₹9,479 per tonne for the AS 20.5-0-0-23 variety, which contains 20.5% nitrogen and 23% sulphur, with the retail price expected to drop to around ₹700 per 50 kg bag from the current ₹1,100-1,200. Agriculture experts highlight that Ammonium Sulphate releases nitrogen more slowly than urea, potentially benefiting soil health amid concerns over urea's excessive use. Despite a reported surplus of urea, there have been complaints of shortages during the Kharif season, prompting state officials to seek additional supplies. The fertiliser ministry's claims of stock levels have been met with skepticism due to a lack of accessible data on sales and availability. sources

Published:
Nov 04 2025, 4 pm

Maize prices fall below MSP as arrivals increase, demand weakens

Maize prices in India are currently trending below the minimum support price (MSP) of ₹2,400 per quintal, with modal prices ranging from ₹1,300 to ₹2,100 as harvests increase amid expectations of a record crop. Farmers have expanded maize cultivation by approximately one million hectares this kharif season, despite some crop damage from excess rains. In response to falling prices, Telangana has initiated procurement at MSP, aiming to buy 8 lakh tonnes of maize. The easing demand from ethanol producers, who are now utilizing alternative feedstocks like rice and sugarcane, has further pressured prices. The Telangana government has urged the Union government to include maize in the Price Support Scheme to assist struggling farmers. Overall, India's maize output for 2024-25 is projected at 422.81 lakh tonnes, up from 376.65 lakh tonnes the previous year, despite challenges posed by Cyclone Montha and flooding. sources

Published:
Nov 04 2025, 2 pm

Maharashtra farmers seek relaxed cotton procurement rules

Farmers in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region are urging the Cotton Corporation of India (CCI) to relax its procurement standards due to heavy rainfall that has increased cotton moisture levels to between 12% and 20%, complicating their ability to sell under the Minimum Support Price (MSP) scheme. Currently, CCI only accepts cotton with moisture content below 12%, a guideline that has left many farmers unable to sell their crops at the government-fixed MSP of ₹7,710 per quintal for medium staple cotton. In contrast, open market prices are significantly lower, ranging from ₹3 to ₹5.60 per kilogram. Leaders of the Shetkari Sanghatana have called for an increase in the moisture limit and the removal of a cap on the quantity of cotton that can be sold per acre. They warn that without immediate action from CCI, farmers could face severe financial losses and be forced into distress sales. sources

Published:
Nov 04 2025, 2 pm

Sankarasubramanian becomes Chairman of FAI

S Sankarasubramanian has been appointed as the new Chairman of the Fertiliser Association of India (FAI), succeeding Shailesh C Mehta. Sankarasubramanian, who is also the Managing Director and CEO of Coromandel International, brings over 30 years of experience in the fertiliser industry, particularly in the phosphatic and potassic sectors. Siba Prasad Mohanty, previously one of the Co-Chairmen, will now serve as the sole Co-Chairman. Established 70 years ago, the FAI represents a wide array of stakeholders in the fertiliser sector, including manufacturers, distributors, and research institutes. In his statement, Sankarasubramanian emphasized the association's commitment to aligning industry objectives with national agricultural priorities, promoting innovation, sustainability, and resource efficiency, while collaborating with policymakers to achieve self-reliance in the fertiliser sector. sources

Published:
Nov 04 2025, 2 pm

Dynamatic Technologies joins L&T-BEL for AMCA project

A consortium led by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has welcomed Dynamatic Technologies Ltd (DTL) as its exclusive partner in the development of India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. The partnership aims to enhance India's domestic manufacturing capabilities for advanced aerospace platforms, combining DTL's expertise in aerostructures with L&T's engineering prowess and BEL's advanced electronics systems. Arun Ramchandani of L&T emphasized that this collaboration not only focuses on creating a next-gen fighter jet but also aims to transform the Indian aerospace industrial landscape. DTL's CEO, Udayant Malhoutra, highlighted the company's three-decade legacy in supersonic aircraft structures. The AMCA programme is crucial for the Indian Air Force and Navy, with the first prototype expected by 2028-29 and series production slated for the early 2030s. The consortium's formation follows an Expression of Interest issued by the Aeronautical Development Agency. sources

Published:
Nov 04 2025, 2 pm

Govt unveils 3rd PLI scheme for specialty steel investment

Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy has launched the third round of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for speciality steel, named 'PLI 1.2', aimed at boosting domestic production and reducing imports. The initiative, unveiled at a recent event, is part of a broader government strategy to position India as a global hub for high-value steel production. Initially approved by the Union Cabinet in July 2021 with a budget of ₹6,322 crore, the scheme has already attracted ₹43,874 crore in committed investments and created over 13,000 jobs across its first two rounds. The PLI scheme covers 22 product sub-categories, including stainless steel and titanium alloys, offering incentive rates between 4% and 15% for five years starting in 2025-26. The base year for pricing has been updated to 2024-25 to align with current market trends, further enhancing the scheme's effectiveness. sources

Published:
Nov 04 2025, 2 pm

DGCA Starts Quarterly Review of Airline Operations

India's aviation safety regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has initiated quarterly review meetings with domestic airlines to enhance safety standards and operational efficiency. The first meeting, held on November 4, 2025, focused on critical areas such as safety performance, compliance with Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL), and adherence to On-Time Performance (OTP) standards. Representatives from major airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, participated in discussions that also addressed customer grievances, operational readiness, and preparations for winter fog conditions. An industry insider noted that these meetings have proven beneficial in improving the overall safety ecosystem within the aviation sector. The DGCA aims to ensure that airlines maintain high safety and performance standards through these regular assessments, which are expected to continue over the coming months. sources

Published:
Nov 04 2025, 12 pm

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