The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) announced on Wednesday (March 26, 2025) that the Vertically-Launched Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VLSRSAM) under development for the Navy successfully demonstrated its near-boundary, low-altitude capability during a test fire. The trial, conducted in conjunction with the Indian Navy at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur off the coast of Odisha, took place at about 12 p.m., from a land-based vertical launcher.

During the test, the missile engaged a high-speed aerial target at very close range and low altitude. It executed the high turn rate required to engage such targets, completely destroying the target and thereby establishing its agility, reliability and pinpoint accuracy. All weapon system elements were deployed in a combat configuration — including the missile equipped with an indigenous radio frequency seeker, a multi-function radar and a weapon control system — and performed in line with expectations. Flight data captured by various range instruments developed at ITR Chandipur validated the overall performance of the system.

The Army has conducted a Tri-Service integrated multi-domain warfare exercise, ‘Prachand Prahaar’, in the high-altitude terrain of Arunachal Pradesh from March 25 to 27, according to an official statement on Thursday. The exercise aimed at “validating a fully integrated approach to surveillance, command and control, and precision firepower across the three services,” brought together the operational teams in a synergised combat drill designed to simulate future warfare.

“Carried out under the aegis of the Eastern Command, the exercise showcased the seamless integration of advanced surveillance, strike capabilities, and multi-domain operational planning. Cutting-edge platforms such as long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft, armed helicopters, UAVs, loitering munitions, and space-based assets were employed to achieve total situational awareness and rapid target engagement,” the Defence Spokesperson for Manipur, Nagaland and Southern Arunachal Pradesh said in a statement.

India has made significant strides in expanding its social security coverage, which has doubled from 24.4% in 2021 to 48.8% in 2024, according to the latest World Social Protection Report (WSPR) by the International Labour Organization (ILO). This increase is due to key government initiatives that have expanded access to health insurance, pensions, and employment support.

According to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, nearly 920 million people, or 65% of the population, are now covered by at least one form of social protection, whether in cash or in kind, through central government schemes. This expansion has also contributed to a five-percentage-point increase in global social protection coverage, highlighting India’s crucial role in shaping global welfare outcomes.

In a significant effort to empower rural women and youth, the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) has signed a Statement of Intent (SOI) with UNICEF YuWaah to create livelihood opportunities and enhance female workforce participation in rural India. The three-year partnership aims to connect women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with employment, entrepreneurship, and skill development programs.

The SOI was signed by T.K. Anil Kumar, Additional Secretary, MoRD, and Sharada Thapalia, Deputy Representative (Operations), UNICEF India, in the presence of senior officials from both organizations. This collaboration aligns with the Rural Prosperity and Resilience Programme outlined in the 2025-26 Union Budget, the Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

In a significant move to boost the cooperative sector, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday announced the government’s plans to launch a new app-based taxi service, ‘Sahkar’, on the lines of Ola and Uber. The announcement was made in Parliament while the House was discussing the Multi-State Cooperative Societies (Amendment) Bill, 2023, which includes provisions for setting up a national cooperative university.

Shah said the upcoming service will be operated under the cooperative model, ensuring that drivers become stakeholders rather than just service providers. “This is not just a slogan. The Ministry of Cooperation has worked relentlessly for three and a half years to implement this on the ground. In a few months, a major cooperative taxi service will be launched, ensuring direct profit flow to the drivers,” the Home Minister said.

Justice Harish Tandon was on Wednesday sworn in as the new Chief Justice of Orissa High Court.

Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati administered oath of office to Justice Tandon at the Raj Bhavan here.

Tandon was appointed as the Chief Justice of Orissa High Court by President Droupadi Murmu on March 21.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Revenue and Disaster Minister Suresh Pujari, Law Minister Prithiviraj Harichandan and several dignitaries were present at the function.

L & T Finance Ltd. (LTF), one of the leading Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), today has named renowned Indian cricketer Jasprit Bumrah as its brand ambassador. This partnership marks an exciting chapter for LTF in its ongoing efforts to expand and strengthen its brand presence and engage its diverse customer base spread across the length and breadth of the country.

Jasprit Bumrah will feature prominently in LTF's comprehensive Above The Line (ATL) and Below The Line (BTL) marketing campaigns, spanning a variety of channels. These campaigns are strategically designed to elevate brand awareness and drive customer engagement, highlighting the diverse portfolio of financial products and services currently offered by LTF.

Bank of India and New India Assurance have entered into a strategic partnership to offer a wide range of general insurance products to customers of the public sector bank.

With this tie-up, Bank of India's customers will have access to insurance solutions, including health, motor, personal accident, home, and commercial insurance products offered by NIACL, a systemically important insurance company, the lender said in a release.

"The tie-up is a step forward in offering comprehensive insurance solutions under one roof," said Bank of India MD & CEO Rajneesh Karnatak.

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), organized a workshop on "Emerging Trends in Public Data and Technology for Research and Policy" at the IIM Ahmedabad campus. This initiative aligns with MoSPI's ongoing efforts to enhance the national data ecosystem and advance evidence-based policymaking.

The event brought together distinguished speakers, including Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI & Head NSO; Prof. Bharat Bhaskar, Director, IIMA; Sh. P.R. Meshram, Director General, MoSPI; senior officials from the Ministry; faculty members; students; and representatives from premier academic and research institutions. The discussions revolved around leveraging public data, emerging technologies, and academic collaborations to address policy challenges.

Prof. Bharat Bhaskar, Director of IIMA, highlighted the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in policy formulation. However, he also cautioned against inherent biases that may arise from historical data patterns. “While AI can significantly enhance decision-making, it is essential to establish safeguards to ensure fairness and accuracy. Collaboration should be focused on maximizing benefits for public good,” he stated.

India and Singapore on Tuesday (March 25, 2025) signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on Green and Digital Shipping Corridor (GDSC) collaboration at the ongoing Singapore Maritime Week (SMW). India and Netherlands also discussed the possibility of utilizing Dutch global expertise to enable cargo movement in low draft rivers of Brahmaputra and Barak.

“Under the LOI, both sides will collaborate on maritime digitalisation and decarbonisation projects, including identifying relevant stakeholders who could contribute to the effort, and work towards formalising the partnership through a memorandum of understanding on a Singapore-India GDSC,” the Ministry said in a statement.

The Singapore-India GDSC, when established, will enhance collaboration from both countries and help accelerate the development and uptake of zero or near-zero GHG emission technologies and the adoption of digital solutions, the Ministry said.