India’s rural economy is witnessing a quiet but significant transformation as digital technology reshapes the way traditional artisans connect with consumers. From handwoven Chanderi sarees in Madhya Pradesh and intricately carved marble handicrafts in Rajasthan to exquisite Pashmina products from Jammu & Kashmir, thousands of rural artisans—particularly women organised through Self-Help Groups (SHGs)—are finding new opportunities to expand their businesses through the eSARAS platform.

Developed by the Ministry of Rural Development under the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), eSARAS has emerged as a flagship initiative that combines Digital India’s technological framework with grassroots entrepreneurship. By providing women-led SHGs with direct access to national markets, institutional support and digital commerce infrastructure, the platform is strengthening rural livelihoods while preserving India’s rich craft traditions.

“Young people should become job creators rather than job seekers — that is, entrepreneurs; and the food processing industry is the real path to sustainable development for a region like Marathwada,” said Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan. He was speaking at the inauguration of the Common Incubation Centre (Jaggery, Sugarcane Juice & Spices Processing Unit) set up at Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV), Parbhani, under the Ministry of Food Processing Industries’ (MOFPI) Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme.

In a region like Marathwada — and particularly at an agricultural university — there had been no precedent of a Union Minister visiting in person to take such a substantial step in the food processing sector. For the first time in the university’s history, a Union Minister himself came and dedicated the centre to the nation, making it a special highlight of the programme.

NASA on Tuesday (June 30, 2026) is set to launch a daring robotic rescue mission, a long shot bid to prevent one of its aging telescopes from vanishing into dust.

If successful, the effort could pave the way for giving other satellites a second life.

The operation is set to last several months, kicking off with the launch of a robot designed to rescue the Swift space telescope that's currently falling towards Earth.

Without intervention, Swift is expected to soon burn up in the atmosphere.

The rescue spacecraft developed by the U.S. startup Katalyst is slated to lift off on Tuesday (June 30, 2026) at 1023 GMT from a Pacific Ocean atoll aboard a small rocket named Pegasus.

India’s indigenous GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) system has emerged as a key pillar of the country’s satellite navigation ecosystem, enhancing flight safety through precision navigation while expanding its applications across sectors including transport, disaster management, defence and telecommunications.

Developed jointly by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI), GAGAN is a Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) that improves the accuracy of Global Positioning System (GPS) signals by providing real-time corrections and integrity information to aircraft.

Operational since 2015, GAGAN has placed India among a select group of countries with an operational SBAS, alongside the United States, Europe and Japan. It is also the first SBAS certified for operations in the equatorial region.

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved major road infrastructure projects worth Rs 14,115 crore for Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, including a key tunnel project aimed at easing traffic congestion in the national capital.

Briefing the media, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Cabinet cleared the construction of an 8.1-km, 6-lane road tunnel on NH-148AE, which will connect Dwarka Expressway with Nelson Mandela Marg in Vasant Kunj.

The tunnel project, to be built at an estimated cost of Rs 6,969.67 crore, will be executed under the hybrid annuity mode (HAM) and is expected to be completed in five years.

According to officials, the project will significantly improve connectivity between West and South Delhi by linking UER-II/Dwarka Expressway to Vasant Kunj, easing traffic flow from Gurugram, Dwarka, IGI Airport and West Delhi towards South Delhi.

The Odisha Cabinet gave its nod to the implementation of the Odisha Deep Sea Fishing Mission (2026–2036), a proposal put forward by the state Fisheries & Animal Resources Development (F&ARD) Department.

According to an official statement, the flagship initiative aims to unlock the vast offshore fisheries potential of the state and accelerate Blue Economy-led growth.

“The Mission seeks to promote sustainable deep-sea fishing, modernise marine fisheries infrastructure, enhance seafood exports, strengthen fisher livelihoods and establish Odisha as a leading Deep-Sea Fishing and Marine Export Hub in Eastern India,” the official statement said.

India has achieved a major milestone with the approval of the country’s first Private Point-in-Space (PinS) instrument approach procedure for helicopter operations at Undavalli Heliport. PinS procedures use advanced satellite-based navigation technology to enable helicopters to conduct safe and precise instrument approaches to heliports that do not have conventional instrument landing infrastructure.

The Civil Aviation Ministry said PinS is particularly beneficial during adverse weather conditions and in areas where ground-based navigation aids are not available. It was developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the milestone marks a new era in helicopter operations by enhancing flight safety, operational efficiency and all-weather accessibility. He said the government is committed to adopting modern technologies and building a globally benchmarked, technology-driven helicopter ecosystem.

India and Saudi Arabia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to boost cooperation on water resource management, according to an official statement on Monday.

The agreement was signed at the inaugural edition of Saudi Arabia's national water conference, Saudi Water Week, being hosted in Jeddah.

"A significant step in advancing the IndiaSaudi Arabia strategic partnership," said the Indian embassy in Riyadh on Monday.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Indian ambassador Suhel Khan and Abdulrahman Abdulmohsen AlFadley, minister of environment, water and agriculture in Saudi Arabia. Consul General of India Fahad Suri was also present during the signing.

Odisha government’s proposal to resume tiger re-introduction in Satkosia Tiger Reserve has received in-principal approval of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

The approval came after the Forest department complied with the apex body’s recommendations. The government will now assess the ground situation before proceeding on the matter, officials of the Wildlife Wing said.

PCCF wildlife and chief wildlife warden (CWW) Prem Kumar Jha acknowledged that the department has received NTCA’s in-principle approval to re-implement the project which was stalled in 2018. “The state government will assess the situation and take appropriate decision in this regard,” he said.

Ravi Agrawal has been re-appointed as Chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), on contract basis, for a period of six months with effect from tomorrow till 31st December 2026 or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The appointments committee of the cabinet has approved the re-appointment.