Connect with us
Saturday,11-October-2025
Breaking News

Maharashtra

Govt reforms, private partnerships behind Indian space industry growth in 2024: ISpA

Published

on

New Delhi, Dec 24: Reforms made by the government coupled with private partnerships played a crucial role in the growth of India’s space industry in 2024, said the Indian Space Association (ISpA), noting that 2025 is poised to be a year of transformative developments.

Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt (Retd), Director General, ISpA stated that government reforms like the Foreign Direct Investment policy, the Rs 1,000 crore Venture Capitalist fund, and a thriving startup ecosystem, coupled with dynamic public-private collaborations propelled space sector growth.

“The Indian government’s continued focus on strategic policy reforms not only opens the door for significant private sector investment but also ensures that India stays at the forefront of global space innovation. With the continuous support from the government and the push for the public,” Bhatt said.

“The private space sector is witnessing a major growth in the startup ecosystem driven by favourable policy reforms like the liberal FDI policy announced this year,” he stated, adding that this will give the country “access to the latest tech advances and funds” both from Indian and global investors.

The FDI policy in the space sector was launched under the Indian Space Policy 2023 in March. It allows for 100 per cent FDI under the automatic route for satellite components and systems, up to 74 per cent for satellite manufacturing and operation, and 49 per cent for launch vehicles and spaceports.

In October, the Cabinet approved a Rs 1,000 crore VC Fund for the space sector, bolstering startups and private players.

It also approved Phase III of the Space-Based Surveillance (SBS-III) project, targeting the launch of 52 satellites to enhance surveillance. This involved the manufacturing of 31 satellites by the private sector, providing immense opportunities to the industry.

Further, the year also witnessed the laying of the foundation stone for India’s second spaceport in Kulasekharapattinam, Tamil Nadu.

Tata Advanced Systems and Satellogic launched India’s first private sub-metric high-resolution Earth Observation satellite in April.

In May, Agnikul Cosmos made history with the launch of “Agnibaan – SOrTeD,” the world’s first rocket powered by a fully 3D-printed, semi-cryogenic engine.

Funding for Indian space-tech startups reached $76.79 million in 2024, bringing total funding to $463.24 million to date. This includes Pixxel, GalaxEye, Dhruva Space, XDLink Labs, Piersight, and EtherialX.

Notably, this year, ISRO’s commercial arm, NSIL, invited private firms to apply for the end-to-end manufacturing of the Launch Vehicle Mark-III, used in Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3.

IN-SPACe, under the Department of Space, also called for initial bids from domestic companies to design, build, and operate Earth Observation satellites. These initiatives mark the Centre’s push to become a key customer for India’s private space sector through a public-private partnership (PPP) model, transforming the space sector, Bhatt said.

Maharashtra

Mumbai: Harassment of ordinary Muslims in the name of Bangladeshis should stop, Abu Asim makes serious allegations against the government over Home Minister Amit Shah’s statement

Published

on

abu azmi

Mumbai: Maharashtra Samajwadi Party leader Worker Assembly Abu Asim Azmi criticized the statement of Home Minister Amit Shah and said that it is the responsibility of the Home Minister and the Central Government to take action against Bangladeshi and Pakistani infiltrators. The population of Muslims in India has increased due to Bangladeshis. This is completely wrong. The residents of West Bengal and ordinary Muslims are being targeted under the guise of Bangladeshi and Pakistanis. He said that the government is yours in many states and at the center, so how do Bangladeshi infiltrators enter from the border? What action has the government taken against those who forge their documents so far? He said that targeting Muslims under the guise of Bangladeshi should be stopped, just as Karat Soumya is trying to fake the certificates and documents of every Muslim and is targeting Muslims. He said that the government should pay attention to how Bangladeshi infiltrators infiltrate from the Indian border. This is not the job of Congress, SP or other parties. It is the job of the government to take action against Bangladeshi and Pakistanis and to bring them to justice. But Muslims should not be harassed or disturbed. He said that action is being taken against those officers who are preparing documents for Bangladeshis.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Mumbai underworld don DK Rao arrested for extortion on Saturday

Published

on

Mumbai: Mumbai Crime Branch has claimed to have arrested gangster DK Rao, a member of the Mumbai underworld Don Chota Rajan gang, on charges of extortion. Along with this, the police have also arrested two of his associates Anil Singh and Menit Bhuta. The gangster, along with Menit Bhuta, had collected Rs 1.25 crore from an investor and threatened him with dire consequences, after which the complainant lodged a complaint with the police. The police took action and arrested DK Rao and obtained his remand. The Mumbai Crime Branch had also arrested DK Rao on charges of threatening a hotel owner and demanding Rs 2.5 crore. Along with this, his associates were also arrested.

A hotel owner in the suburban Sakinaka area was threatened and forced occupation of a hotel is also an allegation. A case was registered in this matter in which DK Rao is on bail. Last night, DK Rao appeared in the sessions court in connection with the hearing of his old case. He had gone for an appointment and the police arrested him. In this case, the police are interrogating him and his associates. It is said that DK Rao still has a hold and terror in the Dharavi area and is involved in other illegal activities including weekly summons. The Crime Branch has now tightened its grip on this, which is causing terror in the underworld. In this case, the Crime Branch will also interrogate DK Rao’s associates. Along with this, the Crime Branch will also interrogate the victims who were victims of DK Rao’s harassment.

Continue Reading

Maharashtra

Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde Addresses Criticism, Urges Shiv Sena Workers To Gear Up For Upcoming Elections

Published

on

Mumbai: Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde responded sharply to criticism from local leaders, emphasizing that Shiv Sena works on the ground rather than just through posters. Speaking at a rally of party workers, Shinde remarked that while some make foreign trips to London, they often return empty-handed.

Shinde criticized opponents threatening disruption (“humbarada fod”) in the wake of the Mumbai municipal elections, highlighting that his government has provided ₹32,000 crore in aid to flood-affected farmers, exceeding opposition expectations. He also recalled past elections, noting that after setbacks in 2022, the party fought 100 assembly seats, winning 20, and metaphorically “broke humbarada” then—implying that some challenges should be reserved for future confrontations.

Shinde stressed the importance of grassroots workers, stating, “Our party belongs to the workers, not to the master-servant hierarchy. I work as a worker, not just as Chief Minister or Deputy Chief Minister.” He praised Shiv Sena’s proactive response during crises in Sangli, Kolhapur, Chiplun, Kerala, and Uttarakhand.

He outlined recent developmental initiatives, including a ₹32,000 crore relief package for flood-affected areas and the progress of the Marathwada Water Grid project. Shinde emphasized that the party aims to reach every household, and urged party officials and workers to uphold Hindutva, ensure voter engagement, and maintain organizational discipline.

On elections, Shinde highlighted the role of booth and group leaders in determining success. He advised meticulous verification of voter lists, stressing that errors could cost votes. A special app has been launched for election preparedness, enabling real-time surveys and corrections.

He called for unity within the Maha Yuti alliance, warning against actions that might create divisions, and encouraged party workers to commit to spreading the Shiv Sena’s presence in every home.

Present at the rally were Social Justice and Sambhajinagar Guardian Minister Sanjay Shirsat, MP Sandipan Bhumre, MLAs Pravin Jayswal, Vilas Bhumre, Ramesh Bornare, Sanjana Jadhav, city chief Rajendra Janjal, and other senior Shiv Sena leaders and workers.

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending