Records, Bengaluru (Bangalore) – Page 2

INTERNATIONAL: KARNATAKA: HISTORY : Know Your City | Exploring Bengaluru’s connections to World Wars

Two institutions deeply entrenched in Bengaluru’s history of the World Wars are the Madras Engineering Group and Bishop Cottons School.

While walking through the cities of Europe, one can still see the scars and memories of the World Wars, with the occasional bomb being discovered even today. On the other side of the world, Bengaluru was far from these earthshaking conflicts, but it nevertheless took part in them. And if you know where to look, the World Wars have left clues to the city’s participation in them, too.

One of the better known such remnants is the World War 1 Sappers Memorial at Brigade Road, in tribute to the 449 slain soldiers of the Madras Pioneers who fought in war theatres across the Indian frontier, the Middle East, and Africa. The other faces of the memorial recall the dead of other pioneer units, one of which, the 61st King George’s Own Pioneers, lost 235 men. They were also part of the “Bangalore Brigade,” which saw action in the defence of East Africa during World War I.

Another fixture of Bengaluru’s military history is the Madras Engineering Group itself. Long headquartered in the city, it has existed under various names since 1780. The unit saw action across the major theatres of World War I, from the Egyptian and Palestinian fronts to the battlefields of France. This era also saw the unit make a major military innovation. Just two years before World War I broke out in 1914, Captain R L McClintock, who was assigned to the unit at the time, developed the Bangalore Torpedo. While not a weapon in itself, the pipe-shaped explosive device proved useful in clearing out traps and barbed-wire barriers in front of attacking troops. Modernised versions of the device are still in use worldwide.

The Madras Engineering Group would go on to fight across the battlefields of World War II. The unit saw extensive action near the frontier at Imphal and into Burma, fighting in the vicious slog that was the Allied invasion of Italy as well as the African campaigns against German general Erwin Rommel, the famous Desert Fox. It brought back a souvenir from these battlefields—a Stuart M5A1 light tank that one can still see near the Ulsoor lake. While the small, fast vehicle seems to have been prone to high losses in combat and was heavily used in a reconnaissance role, a unit of these tanks would become instrumental in the Taiwanese victory over China in the 1949 battle of Kinmen Island.

Another city institution that is deeply entrenched in the history of the World Wars is Bishop Cottons School. While nearly 200 alumni signed up for the Great War, as World War I was initially known, over 300 would respond to the call when yet another World War broke out. Their history is extensively documented in Aditya Sondhi’s The Order of the Crest, which follows the history of the various alumni of the institute. One of these, Clive Armstrong Johnson, would die at just 18 years of age fighting in the Mesopotamian theatre of the war in 1916. As Sondhi records, the school magazine sent to him (The Cottonian) seems to have been a comfort in a time of turmoil. One of his teachers at the school, Lieutenant Cyril Wallace, wrote back regarding Clive’s bravery before his death. He did not long outlive his student. Sondhi records that 23 Cottonians died fighting in World War I.

World War II was no different. Among the most famous alumni of this era would be none other than General K S Thimayya, the third head of the independent Indian Army. Thimayya was one of the rare Indians to command larger units in the battle, commanding 8 Kumaon in the Burmese theatre and the 36th British Brigade during the later Allied occupation of Japan. Another alumnus, Lt Gen A C Ayappa, was a captain in the Malaya theatre, where he survived terrible conditions as a prisoner of war. He served as chairman of Bharat Electronics Limited after Independence.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL : NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: SPORTS : International equestrian event returns to India after 14 years with ‘The Asian Equestrian Federation Cup Youth (AEF Cup-CSIY-B) in Bengaluru, October 11-13

International-level equestrian events will return to India after a gap of 14 years on Friday with the Equestrian Federation of India (EFI) hosting an FEI-approved Asian-level Showjumping event for youth riders. The Asian Equestrian Federation Cup-Youth (AEF Cup-CSIY-B), will be held in Bengaluru from October 11-13.

To create more competitive opportunities for young Indian riders, the AEF Youth Cup will ensure world-class competition at home. The competition will see a total of 11 countries, including hosts India competing at Bengaluru’s Surge Stable, which has state-of-the-art facilities.

The format of the competition is of borrowed horses with an age limit of 16-21 years for the riders having a 115 cm maximum jump level.

India will have two participants – E. Suryaa Aaditya and Avik Bhatia, as they topped the selection trials held at Surge Stable in Bengaluru on Thursday, which was attended by 11 riders.

“The EFI is proud to have successfully brought this FEI-approved international tournament to India after a 14-year hiatus. Hosting such a prestigious and competitive event is not just a point of pride for us at EFI; it’s a tremendous opportunity for Indian riders to experience top-tier competition right at home,” said EFI Secretary General Col. Jaiveer Singh.

“This tournament allows us to showcase India as a promising destination for international equestrian events, enhancing our status in the emerging global equestrian market. Moreover, it provides local riders with the chance to excel in familiar conditions, further elevating the sport in our country,” he added.

The other 10 participating countries — Kuwait, Malaysia, Pakistan, Iran, Hong Kong, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Chinese Taipei, and Uzbekistan — will put up one rider each, the EFI informed in a release on Thursday.

Both Surya and Avik have risen through the EFI junior rank competitions. Surya was a silver medallist at the Junior National Equestrian Championship (JNEC) in both Dressage and Jumping events in 2022. He has also won a silver medal at the Grade III NEC event last year.

Avik was adjudged the best junior rider (2023) and the best young rider this year at the Delhi Horse Show. He is also a medal winner at the junior and senior Nationals.

source/content: ianlive.in (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: Bengaluru-based Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospave (FWDA) announces successful maiden flight of indigenous unmanned bomber aircraft

Bengaluru-headquartered Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace (FWDA) on Tuesday announced the successful maiden flight of indigenous unmanned bomber aircraft, the FWD 200B.

Classified as a Medium Altitude (15,000 feet) Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), the FWD 200B is equipped with optical payloads for surveillance and missile-like weapons for air strikes and bombing, the FWDA Founder and CEO Suhas Tejaskanda told reporters here.

“The aircraft’s aerodynamics design, airframe, propulsion systems, controls systems, electronics are all made in India at FWDA’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility of 12,000 sq.ft built on 1.5 acre land, located at Electronic City, Bengaluru,” he said.

FWD 200B features a wingspan of five metres and a length of 3.5 metres. It has a maximum take-off weight of 102 kg and a payload capacity of 30 kg, the company said.

It can fly at a cruise speed of 152 kms per hour, with a maximum speed of 250 km per hour. Its runway requirement is just 300 metres allowing it to operate from shorter airstrips, Tejaskanda said.

“With an endurance of seven hours and a range of 800 km, the FWD 200B ensures extended mission capabilities, providing substantial coverage without the need for frequent refueling or landing,” he said.

PTI GMS RS RS

source/content: thebengalurulive.con (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: HEALTH & MEDICAL: Epione Bengaluru branch celebrates one year in Bengaluru, treating over 1,200 patients

This milestone underscores the centre’s commitment to innovative and compassionate pain management solutions.

Epione, a pain relief centre, successfully completed one year in Bengaluru, providing care and relief to over 1,200 patients. This milestone underscores the centre’s commitment to innovative and compassionate pain management solutions.

With over 20 years of experience, Epione has treated more than 50,000 patients across its centres in South India and is recognised for introducing plasma therapy (PRP) for pain relief in the country.

The Bengaluru branch has been pivotal in offering specialised therapies that help patients manage chronic pain and enhance their quality of life through advanced, non-invasive treatments.

Founder and Managing Director and Chief of Pain Medicine Dr Sudheer Dara said, “Our mission has always been to enhance the lives of people suffering from chronic pain. Our first year in Bengaluru has exceeded our expectations in terms of patient response and clinical success.

We are committed to expanding our services to reach more people in need.” Moreover, to meet the growing demand for services, Epione plans to open two additional branches in Bengaluru next year. Clinical Head Dr Vidya Bandaru, highlighted the centre’s progress over the past year and the commitment to expanding patient-centric care.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: BUSINESS & ECONOMY: FIRST: Karnataka unveils India’s first-ever Global Capability Centre policy, aims for 500 new centres and 3.5 lakh jobs by 2029

The policy has also set an ambitious $50 billion economic output target for Karnataka from GCC operations by 2029.

The Karnataka Government Friday unveiled the draft of India’s first-ever Global Capability Centre (GCC) policy.

The policy outlines a vision to establish 500 new GCCs by 2029, contributing significantly to the state’s economy and creating 3.5 lakh jobs. The draft policy is now open for public comment and the government has invited inputs to refine and strengthen the policy.

A GCC is an offshore facility that provides services to a parent organisation, most often a multinational corporation.

Karnataka is home to over 30 per cent of India’s GCCs and accounts for 35 per cent of the country’s workforce in this sector.

GCC policy objectives

The policy has also set an ambitious target for the state to aim for an economic output of $50 billion from GCC operations by 2029. The new GCC policy also aims to create an investor-friendly environment to attract GCCs and facilitate their expansion in Karnataka; position Karnataka as a global leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI), promote research and development tailored for GCCs; foster a research and development-driven environment focused on deep-tech and emerging technologies and provide platforms for collaboration between GCCs and the local innovation ecosystem, helping to generate cutting-edge solutions. Moreover, the policy also encourages decentralised growth through the ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ initiative, spreading GCCs across various regions in the state.

Innovation and Infrastructure Focus

The policy places a heavy emphasis on creating Global Innovation Districts in Bengaluru and beyond. These districts will provide state-of-the-art infrastructure, fostering collaboration among startups, academic institutions, and businesses. The government has also proposed creating Centers of Excellence (CoEs) focused on emerging technologies like AI and machine learning. Karnataka already houses 21 such CoEs and aims to expand further through public-private partnerships.

Support for GCCs Beyond Bengaluru

Recognising the need for balanced regional development, the government’s ‘Beyond Bengaluru’ initiative promotes the growth of GCCs in cities like Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Tumakuru, and Shivamogga. Companies that set up operations in these areas will receive a special package of financial incentives, including rent reimbursements, internet cost subsidies, and property tax exemptions. The policy also supports the establishment of Nano GCCs, which require fewer employees, making it easier for companies to set up operations.

AI and Research Development

A Center of Excellence for AI will also be established in Bengaluru, focusing on the research and development of artificial intelligence. The policy also introduces an AI Skilling Council to develop AI-specific curricula, which will be implemented across the state’s educational institutions. The government has allocated Rs 100 crore to support joint research between GCCs and academic institutions, with a focus on solving real-world business and societal challenges.

Special Incentives for ER&D

Engineering Research and Development (ER&D) is a focus area within the policy. Karnataka is already contributing over $34 billion to India’s GCC market size. The government aims to foster innovation and encourage collaboration between industry and academia to accelerate product development in ER&D.

Talent Development

To strengthen Karnataka’s rich talent pool, the government will provide recruitment assistance, skilling reimbursements, and support for leadership development. Internship programs aimed at providing hands-on experience to local talent will also be a key part of the policy.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: RECORDS OF PESTS : Bengaluru-based ICAR-NBAIR discovers 63 new insect species

ICAR-NBAIR said in a statement it was granted five patents in the last financial year, further establishing its leadership in innovative pest management solutions.

The ICAR – National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (ICAR-NBAIR) has said it has discovered 63 new insect species in 2023-2024, significantly enhancing scientific understanding of agriculturally-important insects.

ICAR-NBAIR said in a statement it was granted five patents in the last financial year, further establishing its leadership in innovative pest management solutions, including — Herbal-based repellent for termites on woody trees, Protocol for alcohol-free plywood-laced melon fly attractant, and ‘Dorsa Lure’, a plant volatile composition to increase the trap efficiency in mango fruit flies.

Additional biological control agents were released across various areas, greatly reducing the impact of pests, the institute said.

“ICAR-NBAIR achieved groundbreaking progress in gene silencing technology by developing dsRNA constructs, which resulted in up to 85-89 per cent mortality in cotton whitefly (Bemisia tabaci). The institution also completed genome assemblies for four insect species, focusing on critical traits such as insecticide resistance and abiotic stress tolerance,” it stated.

ICAR-NBAIR also commercialised 47 technologies, including microbial pesticides, pheromones, and insecticidal formulations. during the year.

“These technologies generated Rs 32.5 million in revenue, and the Bureau signed over 112 licensing agreements to promote their widespread use across industries,” the statement said.

ICAR-NBAIR also developed and commercialised biological control agents to manage pests such as the fall armyworm and white grubs. These include novel insecticidal formulations and microbial pesticides, now available in the market, it was stated.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: INDIA / KARNATAKA: COMMUNICATION SATELLITES: NewSpace India (NSIL) and Malaysian firm (MEASAT)tie up to enhance satellite capacity for DTH, broadcasting services

Space sector reforms in India, announced by the Government of India in 2020, enable NSIL to own and operate its fleet of communication satellites and provide services to users from both the government and private sectors.

NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) has entered an agreement with MEASAT Global Berhad (MEASAT), Malaysia’s premier satellite solutions provider, to provide satellite capacity for DTH and broadcasting sectors in India. The partnership was formalised during the recently concluded Bengaluru Space Expo 2024.

Under the new agreement, MEASAT will offer its MEASAT-3b and MEASAT-3d satellite capacity to the DTH operators and broadcasters, under provisions of the Indian Space Policy 2023, NSIL said on Friday.

NSIL, a Government of India company under the Department of Space and the commercial arm of ISRO, operates a fleet of 11 communication satellites that provide satellite capacity to various service providers in broadcasting, DTH, digital satellite news gathering (DSNG), very small aperture terminals (VSAT), in-flight and maritime communication (IFMC) and other domains.

A Arunachalam, director (Technical and Strategy), NSIL, said the agency was committed to meet the demands of users in the Indian market and would continue business activities with international satellite solutions providers.

“The success of our CONNECTme satellite broadband service in helping to close the connectivity gap in rural Malaysia could be replicated in India through this partnership. We are also keen to tap on NSIL’s satellite launch service capabilities and other services to support MEASAT’s initiatives in the region,” Ganendra Selvaraj, Chief Commercial Officer, MEASAT, said.

source/content: deccanherald.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: YOUNG RICH: Bengaluru has more rich Indians under 35 than Mumbai, Third Wave, Meesho founders among them

Hurun Under 35 list: Bengaluru stands out with 29 individuals on the list, including names such as Sushant Goel and Ayush Bathwal of Third Wave Coffee.

With another feather in its cap, Bengaluru now boasts 29 of India’s richest individuals under the age of 35, surpassing Mumbai, which has 26, according to a list released by the Hurun Research Institute.

After launching the Hurun Under 35s in the USA, UK, China, Canada, and Australia, the Hurun Research Institute has unveiled the much-anticipated U35 list of entrepreneurs in India . The 2024 Hurun India Under 35s list features 150 remarkable entrepreneurs under the age of 35, celebrating first-generation leaders with a minimum business valuation of USD 50 million and next-generation leaders with valuations exceeding $ 100 million.

Bengaluru stands out with 29 individuals on the list, including names such as Sushant Goel and Ayush Bathwal of Third Wave Coffee, Shashank Kumar of Razorpay, and Vidit Aatrey and Sanjeev Barnwal of Meesho, among others.

Anas Rahman Junaid, MD and Chief Researcher, Hurun India, said: “Our research underscores the dynamic entrepreneurial spirit among India’s Under-35 demographic, particularly as the country’s economy continues to expand. These young business leaders have rapidly established successful companies, adeptly navigating challenges such as geopolitical complexities, inflation, and other economic headwinds.”

Here’s the complete list for Bengaluru:

Rishi Raj Rathore – Arzooo

Ajeesh Achutan – Open

Sushant Goel – Third Wave Coffee

Roman Saini – Unacademy

Apoorv Kumar – Refyne

Arun Vinayak – Exponent Energy

Harshil Mathur – Razorpay

Ayush Bathwal – Third Wave Coffee

Abhishek Bansal – Shadowfax

Shashank Kumar – Razorpay

Yogesh Agarwal – Onsurity

Jyotiranjan Harichandan – Bolt Earth

Govind Soni – CoinSwitch

Ravish Naresh – Khatabook

Praneeth Kumar Boganadhula – Vegrow

Vimal Sagar Tiwari – CoinSwitch

Pranav Goel – Porter

Tarun Mehta – Ather Energy

Sangeet Agarwal – Mokobara

Uttam Digga – Porter

Sanjeev Barnwal – Meesho

Mohit Kumar – Ultrahuman

Swapnil Jain – Ather Energy

Enbasekar Dinadayalane – MediBuddy

Rohith Salim – SpotDraft

Chanakya Hridaya – Blackbuck

Ashish Singhal – CoinSwitch

Satish Kannan – MediBuddy

Ankit Garg – Wakefit

Five interesting facts about about the list:

Ankush Sachdeva, 31, from ShareChat is the youngest individual featured in the 2024 Hurun India Under35s.

Parita Parekh of Toddle and Isha Ambani of Reliance Retail, both 32, are the youngest women entrepreneurs in the 2024 Hurun India Under35s. Seven women are featured in the latest list.

Financial services led the way with 21 entrepreneurs, followed by software & services with 14 entrants.

The average age of the 2024 Hurun India Under35s list is 33.

IIT Madras leads the list of institutions from which these entrepreneurs graduate, producing thirteen entrepreneurs, followed by IIT Bombay with eleven.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: Bengaluru schools shine, bag spots in Top 10 in national rankings

The survey rates and ranks the country’s Top 4,000 schools in four main and 23 sub-categories.

Bengaluru schools have once again made a mark by securing several spots in countrywide ranking of schools surveyed by EducationWorld in association with Bengaluru-based AZ Research Partners Pvt Ltd. The annual report — Education World India School Rankings (EWISR) 2024-25 — was released Monday.

The Rashtriya Military School, Bengaluru, secured the first spot in the country under the category of government boarding schools, while the Air Force School, Hebbal, was awarded the fifth spot under the central government day school category. Brindavan Education Centre, Academy for Severe Handicaps and Autism (ASHA) and Vidyaniketan Academy, Centre for Learning Challenges, are featured in the best special needs schools in the country.

The survey rates and ranks the country’s Top 4,000 schools in four main and 23 sub-categories. This year, a sample database of 8,700 respondents, including 5,150 parents and 3,550 education professionals across 34 cities in the country, were surveyed.

Schools were surveyed on 14 parameters of educational excellence, such as academic reputation, competence of faculty members, individual attention to students, leadership quality, curriculum and pedagogy (hybrid learning readiness), co-curricular education, sports and more.

“Schools are grouped in discrete categories to eliminate apples and oranges type comparisons. Another special feature of the annual EWISR is that it is a national survey based on field interviews with over 8,700 knowledgeable respondents, not on the opinions of a handful of selected jurors,” said DilipThakore, founder-editor of EducationWorld.

In the Vintage Legacy Co-Ed Day Schools category, St Joseph’s Boys High School stood at number two and Bishop Cotton Girls School secured the sixth rank. Smt Kamalabai Educational Institution achieved the seventh rank in the co-ed category.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: SPACE: ‘Bangalore Space Expo 2024 (BSE 2024)’ Concludes on a High Note – September 18-20, 2024

It was three days of treat for the afficiandos of space technology as the eighth edition of three-day Bangalore Space Expo 2024 (BSE 2024) was held from September 18 to September 20.

What is of significance is that with the push from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has privatised space launches and is targeting a fivefold increase in its share of the global launch market, which some expect to be worth $47.3 billion by 2032. This increased private sector participation would help to generate employment, enable modern technology absorption and make the sector self-reliant. It is expected to integrate Indian companies into global value chains. With this, companies will be able to set-up their manufacturing facilities within the country duly encouraging ‘Make In India (MII)’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives of the Government.

In this background, the BSX 2024 which was held at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre (BIEC) gave visitors an opportunity to see cutting-edge innovations, exciting space technologies and future of India’s space.

Nothing could be more apt than what Dr S. Somanath, Secretary of Department of Space and Chairman, Space Commission said, “Times have changed. We are capable of building the best equipment. The best devices and the best rockets in India.”

With over 100,000 visitors attending the three-day BSX 2024, the event saw participation by over 250 delegates, space companies from over 250 and pavilions of over ten countries, shows the interest in space technology and increased private funding, technological advancements, and public sector interest. There’s a renewed push to explore beyond. Declining launch costs and rising public interest are propelling this industry to new heights, offering a galaxy of opportunities for investors.

India’s space sector has seen tremendous growth over the past decade. India’s advances in space programs have been highly remarkable, with vigorous and determined efforts by ISRO. Taking the vision of the Government of India in enhancing private sector participation in the space sector, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in association with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has been organising the Bengaluru Space Expo 2024 (BSX), a Biennial International Exhibition and Conference since 2008.

From the humble beginnings of transporting rocket parts on bullock carts to the proud achievement of launching a record number of satellites in a single mission, India has proven itself as a trailblazer in space exploration. Until recently, India’s space sector could broadly but in no way exclusively be divided into two major domains: commercial and research. The Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), which made India the fourth nation to reach Mars, and the Chandrayan-3 Mission to soft launch on the south pole of the lunar surface, are purely research initiatives for space exploration. On the other hand, launching foreign satellites for communication, navigation, and resource survey/management are commercial space activities.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), formed on August 15, 1969, is the country’s official space agency. While pursuing space science research and planetary exploration, ISRO has led and defined the nation’s space industry and economy with 124 spacecraft missions, 432 foreign satellite launches, 98 launch missions, and much more. The Bengaluru-headquartered organisation is gearing up for Gaganyaan, India’s first manned mission to space. Several Non-Government Entities (NGEs) aid ISRO as vendors and/or suppliers.

A report by the World Economic Forum and McKinsey estimates the size of the global space industry to be $630 Billion in 2023. It is expected to grow 9% per annum and reach $1.8 Trillion by 2035. The private sector plays a defining role in driving innovation and access through large-scale investments, while non-space private sector partnerships with space players continue to expand.

In a landmark effort to engage and promote private entities in the space sector, the Government launched the Indian Space Policy 2023. There are 189 DPIIT-recognised space technology startups in India, and the space startups have garnered investment worth $124.7 Million during March-December 2023. The policy enables NGEs to engage end-to-end in all domains of the space sector, making startups a lucrative investment option for investors. Alphabet Inc. became one of the first to capitalise on the lucrative potential with an investment of $36 Million in a Bengaluru-based satellite imaging startup called Pixxel. As the space sector flourishes with emerging startups, established NGEs like Dhruva Space, SatSure, Skyroot, and more are also expanding the remit of their operations and research under the policy.

India’s space economy, valued at $8.4 Billion in 2023, currently accounts for 2-3% of the global space economy. But it is estimated to grow to $44 Billion by 2033. The private sector can play a critical role in realising this and BSX 2024 provided the appropriate platform to boost India’s space development.

To facilitate participation from the private sector, the Department of Space (DoS) established the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe). Though funded by the DoS, IN-SPACe is an autonomous, single-window, nodal agency for all space sector activities of NGEs. It serves as an authorisation and clearance agency for space launches, provides infrastructure support for launch pads, monitors and facilitates the procurement and trade of satellites, enables the use of DoS facilities, and more. IN-SPACe also offers technical expertise and assistance to NGEs and handholds them through the process by sharing technologies, best practices, and products.

Meanwhile, NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), serving as the commercial arm of ISRO under DoS, helps NGEs commercialise their space technologies and platforms. It facilitates manufacturing, leasing, procuring, and trading space components, technologies, and other assets for global markets. It also facilitates space services offered by ISRO and now private companies and consortiums to international and global agencies.

In a more recent and direct reform, an amendment to the FDI policy allows up to 100% foreign direct investment in manufacturing and procuring satellite systems. The satellite sub-sector of the space industry has been distinguished into three different segments with defined foreign investment ceilings. Launch vehicles and their associated products/services can have up to 49% FDI. Activities like operation, data products, and ground and user segments can receive up to 74% FDI. And up to a 100% FDI for the manufacture of satellite components, sub-systems, and ground and user segments of the same.

India’s space sector has always promoted domestic manufacturing and innovation. These principles have held the nation’s space economy in good stead, with the NSIL reporting an annual turnover of INR 28.42 Crore in FY 22-23 alone. The space economy is on a sharp upward trajectory with the influx of space-tech startups and other NGEs. The IN-SPACe has already signed 51 MoUs with NGEs to actualise and support the manufacture of launch vehicles and satellites. Other notable successes include the commercial launches of LVM3 & PSLV and the successful launch of Aditya-L1 aboard PSLV C57 to observe the Sun, cementing India’s place in the global space industry for research and commerce.

The space industry has a crucial role in implementing innovative solutions in several sectors, such as telecommunication, healthcare, agriculture, defence, and others. India’s space sector is at a pivotal juncture. With a rich history of innovation — even at a cost less than Hollywood movies — a booming private sector and a supportive regulatory environment, the nation is poised for a significant leap forward.

By harnessing the collective potential of ISRO, NSIL, IN-SPACe, and its thriving startup ecosystem, India can not only become a major player in the global space economy but also unlock transformative applications for its citizens and the world. The final frontier beckons and India appears well-equipped to answer its call. The space startup ecosystem has flourished, with 189 startups in 2023, receiving $124.7 million in funding. With favorable policy changes, including the Space Policy 2023 and upcoming legislation, India is poised to emerge as a global leader in the space sector, offering new avenues for investments and technological advancements.

As a leader in the space technology domain, India understands the importance of staying at the forefront of innovation and collaboration. The Bengaluru Space Expo 2024 served as a premier platform for industry leaders, innovators, and enthusiasts to come together, exchange ideas, and explore the latest advancements in space technology.

source/content: raksha-anirveda.com (headline edited)