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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

FSSAI urges States to properly dispose of expired food

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has issued a directive to States and Union Territories, emphasizing the strict prohibition of disposing of seized, rejected, or expired food items into rivers, lakes, or open lands. This move follows reports of improper disposal practices that have raised environmental and health concerns. The FSSAI has mandated that all disposal processes must be documented on video and supervised by designated food safety officers. Approved disposal methods include using authorized incinerators compliant with Central Pollution Control Board norms and designated sanitary landfills. States are required to submit monthly compliance reports detailing disposal activities, with any deviations flagged for review. The FSSAI's measures aim to prevent misuse within the food supply chain and mitigate environmental harm, underscoring the importance of proper waste management in safeguarding public health. sources

Published:
Nov 04 2025, 8 pm

Centre initiates third PLI scheme round for specialty steel

The Indian government has launched the third round of its Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for specialty steel, known as PLI 1.2, aimed at boosting domestic production and reducing imports. Union Steel Minister HD Kumaraswamy announced that the scheme has attracted investment commitments of ₹43,874 crore, created 30,760 direct jobs, and is projected to produce 14.3 million tonnes of specialty steel. The first two rounds of the scheme have already seen investments of ₹22,973 crore and the generation of 13,284 jobs. The PLI 1.2 initiative focuses on high-value steel production for critical sectors such as defence, aerospace, and infrastructure, and is expected to encourage both existing and new players, including MSMEs, to enhance their investment plans. Kumaraswamy emphasized that the scheme aims to position India as a global hub for high-grade steel production, covering 22 product sub-categories essential for advanced industrial applications. sources

Published:
Nov 04 2025, 8 pm

ISMA forecasts 18.5% increase in 2025-26 sugar output

The Indian Sugar & Bio-Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) has projected India's net sugar production for the 2025-26 season at 30.95 million tonnes (mt), marking an 18.5% increase from last season's 26.11 mt, primarily driven by a 39% rise in output from Maharashtra. The gross production estimate stands at 34.35 mt, slightly revised down from an earlier forecast of 34.9 mt. With 3.4 mt expected to be diverted for ethanol, total sugar availability will reach 35.95 mt, exceeding domestic consumption of 28.5 mt and allowing for potential exports of 2 mt. Maharashtra's sugarcane acreage has increased significantly, contributing to improved crop conditions, while Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka also anticipate stable to rising outputs. ISMA has urged the government to expedite the export policy to facilitate proactive planning by mills. A final decision on exports will follow the Agriculture Ministry's upcoming sugarcane output estimate. sources

Published:
Nov 04 2025, 8 pm

VOC Port awarded 'Green Visionary' at India Maritime Week 2025

VOC Port in Tuticorin has been awarded the title of ‘Green Visionary’ at India Maritime Week 2025, following a remarkable investment commitment of ₹90,936 crore. The event, held in Mumbai from October 27 to 31, recognized the port's dedication to sustainable initiatives. The VO Chidambaranar Port Authority signed 29 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) focused on port modernization, shipbuilding, IT, and sustainability. Notably, three significant agreements in the green energy sector alone account for over ₹45,400 crore in investments. These include a ₹25,400 crore deal with Green Infra Renewable Energy Farms for a green ammonia storage facility, a ₹15,000 crore project with ACME Green Hydrogen for a 1,200 MTPD Green Ammonia Project, and a ₹5,000 crore agreement with CGS Energy for a 300 TPD Green Ammonia production facility. Chairperson Susanta Kumar Purohit expressed optimism about the anticipated job creation and investment influx. sources

Published:
Nov 04 2025, 8 pm

DGCA to Revise Air Ticket Refund and Cancellation Rules

India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has proposed significant reforms to airline ticket refund and cancellation policies aimed at enhancing passenger rights. Key measures include a 48-hour "look-in" period post-booking, allowing passengers to cancel or modify reservations without incurring extra charges, barring fare differences. The DGCA also seeks to cap cancellation fees, ensuring they do not exceed the basic fare plus fuel surcharge, and mandates that all additional charges by travel agents be disclosed upfront. Furthermore, airlines will be required to process credit card refunds within seven days and cash refunds immediately, with a standardised timeline for refunds through intermediaries set at 21 working days. The proposals aim to align India's practices with global standards, addressing long-standing grievances over high fees and delayed refunds, while also providing protections against predatory pricing by airlines. sources

Published:
Nov 04 2025, 8 pm

IndiGo posts ₹2,582 crore Q2 loss due to forex

IndiGo, India's leading airline, reported a net loss of ₹2,582 crore for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025-26, primarily due to adverse currency fluctuations affecting dollar-based obligations. However, excluding these impacts, the airline achieved a net profit of ₹104 crore, a significant improvement from a net loss of ₹754 crore in the same quarter last year. Total revenue rose 10% year-on-year to ₹19,599 crore, driven by a 9.3% increase in operational revenue and an 11.2% rise in passenger ticket revenue. CEO Pieter Elbers highlighted the airline's capacity optimisation strategies, which helped mitigate seasonal weaknesses and led to a 7.8% increase in capacity. IndiGo plans to expand its fleet, with new Airbus A321XLR deliveries expected by December, and is set to launch new international routes in January 2026. As of September 30, 2025, the airline's cash reserves stood at ₹53,515 crore. sources

Published:
Nov 04 2025, 7 pm

"Israel Backs IMEC Corridor and I2U2 Partnership"

During a meeting in New Delhi on Tuesday, India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Israel's Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar discussed enhancing bilateral cooperation and regional connectivity projects, including the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the I2U2 partnership involving India, Israel, the US, and the UAE. Sa'ar emphasized Israel's commitment to these initiatives, which aim to strengthen links between South Asia, West Asia, and Europe, despite setbacks caused by the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Jaishankar noted Indian businesses' interest in sectors like infrastructure and renewable energy in Israel, highlighting the recent Bilateral Investment Agreement as a significant step forward. He also expressed India's support for a Gaza peace plan, which is currently fragile but aims for a lasting resolution. The meeting underscores the growing ties between India and Israel, particularly in technology and investment, with an AI Impact Summit planned for February 2026 in India. sources

Published:
Nov 04 2025, 6 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

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