India's private space sector reached a defining milestone on Saturday as Skyroot Aerospace successfully launched Vikram-1, the country's first privately developed orbital-class rocket, from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC-SHAR) in Sriharikota.

The rocket not only aced the launch but also satellite deployment, with all four stages performing nominally on first attempt.

The landmark mission, named Mission Aagaman, marks the arrival of Indian private industry into the orbital launch business, placing the country among a select group where commercial companies have independently developed and launched orbital rockets

A new species of monkey with distinctive orange lips and a deep roaring call has been identified in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Colobus congoensis, known to local people as Likweli, is just the fifth new monkey species scientists have identified in Africa in the last 75 years, according to a study published in the journal PLOS ONE Wednesday.

The monkey has a glossy black coat, long fur, a sweeping tail and striking orange-cream facial markings, said researchers from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and the City University of New York Graduate Center in statements on Wednesday.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state government is making the skill development system completely digital and transparent while equipping the youth with skills.

In this sequence, at the state-level celebration of World Youth Skills Day-2026 held at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Vocational Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Kapil Dev Aggarwal, on Wednesday inaugurated two significant digital initiatives.

Minister Kapil Dev Aggarwal inaugurated the digital portal ‘Kaushal Setu’ by pressing the launch button. Kaushal Setu is the digital portal of the Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission (UPSDM), which makes the entire process of registration and empanelment of Training Partners online, paperless and transparent.

India should shift from fragmented biotechnology programmes to six mission-driven national initiatives covering healthcare, agriculture, industrial biotechnology and disease surveillance to achieve its goal of building a USD 691 billion bioeconomy by 2035, according to NITI Aayog's newly released bioeconomy roadmap.

The roadmap proposes six National BioMissions aimed at strengthening India's capabilities in advanced therapeutics, climate-resilient agriculture, synthetic biology, pandemic preparedness, marine biotechnology and next-generation biopharmaceuticals. It says a mission-mode approach will be essential to translate research into large-scale manufacturing and globally competitive products.

"These are designed to build sovereign capabilities across advanced therapeutics, climate-resilient agriculture, synthetic biology platforms, pandemic preparedness, blue-economy innovation and next-generation biologics," the roadmap said.

Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh, welcomed the Trophy Tour of the 135th Durand Cup to Imphal on Wednesday as the tournament's three iconic trophies arrived in the state.

Held at the City Convention Centre, Imphal, the grand ceremonial function was attended among others by Lieutenant General Gambhir Singh, Chief of Staff, HQ Eastern Command and Puneet Kumar Goel, Chief Secretary.

Senior civil and military officials, representatives of participating clubs and members of the football fraternity were also present.

In his remarks, Ajay Kumar Bhalla said the return of the Durand Cup to the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium is far more than a sporting event.

The Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL) at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT), in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), on Thursday launched a guidebook aimed at helping Indian micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) expand their presence in global markets.

Titled ‘Going Global: A Practical Guide for Indian MSMEs’, the publication has been designed as a one-stop resource to help businesses identify export opportunities, understand market access requirements, leverage trade intelligence tools, comply with international standards and sustainability norms, and strengthen export readiness.

The guidebook addresses key challenges faced by MSMEs, including limited access to market information, lack of knowledge about overseas buyers, compliance with international standards and certifications, and maintaining price competitiveness. It also provides practical guidance on market analysis, identifying buyers and using freely available tools to reduce the cost of market research.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate 75 redeveloped railway stations from all across India in Jalandhar, Punjab, on Friday. The railway stations will be dedicated to the nation under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

PM Modi, in an X post, said that these stations will improve passenger experience and reflect the spirit of "Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi" (Development as well as Heritage).

He wrote, "In Jalandhar tomorrow, works worth over Rs. 5400 crore will be inaugurated or their foundation stones will be laid. Tomorrow's programme is important for India's railway infrastructure because 75 redeveloped railway stations from all over India will be dedicated to the nation under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. These stations will ensure an improved passenger experience. At the same time, they reflect the spirit of 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi'."

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the construction of two elevated highway corridors worth Rs 25,446 crore along the rivers Varuna and Ganga in Varanasi. The projects come amid mounting congestion in the city, exacerbated by the government’s push to promote religious tourism.

Varanasi receives around 15 crore tourists annually, placing immense pressure on the city’s mobility system and increasing traffic congestion.

The Cabinet approved the development of a 43-km link corridor connecting NH-31 and Varanasi ring road along the river Varuna and 46-km link corridor between NH-19 and Varanasi ring road along the river Ganga. The projects will be developed under the hybrid annuity mode (HAM). The corridor is a major component of the Varanasi Decongestion Plan.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has invited public comments and suggestions on the draft National Health Research Policy, which aims to provide a strategic framework for strengthening and guiding India’s health research ecosystem.

The policy seeks to foster a trusted, inclusive, self-reliant and impact-oriented health research ecosystem that is responsive to the healthcare needs of the people. It aims to promote high-quality, ethical and innovative research while addressing national and emerging health priorities to improve health outcomes and equity. The draft policy proposes the creation of the National Health Research Agenda as the country’s central framework for health research.

The Ministry said the draft policy has been prepared following extensive consultations with various stakeholders and incorporates their suggestions and recommendations. Comments and suggestions on the draft policy have been invited till the 27th of this month.

Madurai Corporation Commissioner Gaurav Kumar on Tuesday distributed safety equipment to sanitary workers under the NAMASTE scheme.

According to a press release, The NAMASTE (National Action Plan for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) scheme is being implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

The scheme aims to enhance the safety, dignity, and livelihood of sanitary workers who clean sewers and septic tanks. To honour these workers, July 14th of every year was celebrated as NAMASTE Day, the press release said.