September 27, 2026

Kautilya

Economy

UPI Completes a Decade as India’s Digital Payment System Scales to 24,162 Crore Annual Transactions

The expansion represents an almost 13,000-fold increase in annual transaction volume over the decade. Transaction value has grown just as dramatically, rising from about ₹0.07 lakh crore in FY 2016-17 to approximately ₹314 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, an increase of more than 4,000 times. The figures show how UPI has evolved from an emerging payment option into a system used for everyday retail purchases, personal money transfers and increasingly higher-value transactions.

By Kautilya / August 25, 2026
Defense Make in India

ArthX Develops SHARANGA Tube-Launched Tactical Loitering Munition for Future Indian Army Requirements

ArthX officially describes SHARANGA as a tube-launched tactical loitering munition designed and developed in India. The munition is stored and transported inside its launch canister, with its wings deploying shortly after leaving the tube. The airframe incorporates inverted-V stabilators and a rear-mounted pusher propulsion arrangement, allowing the system to remain compact inside the canister before transitioning into its normal flight configuration.

By Kautilya / August 25, 2026
Diplomacy

India-GCC FTA Talks Gain Momentum as $178 Billion Trade Partnership Moves Toward Deeper Integration

India’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Vipul, met GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi at the headquarters of the Gulf Cooperation Council in Riyadh. The two sides reviewed India-GCC relations and discussed ways to expand cooperation while examining progress surrounding negotiations for the proposed Free Trade Agreement. Preparations were also discussed for an India-GCC ministerial meeting scheduled to take place in September.

By Kautilya / August 25, 2026
Defense Make in India

Vertotech Aerospace Reveals V-BLAZE Hypersonic Cruise Missile With Mach 6 Speed and 750-Km Range

Vertotech Aerospace officially lists the V-BLAZE as a “Hypersonic Terrain-Hugging Cruise Missile.” According to specifications published by the company, the missile is being designed for a maximum speed of Mach 6 and a stated range of 750 km. Vertotech also lists a smart penetrator and kinetic-effect option for the warhead, together with a navigation architecture combining artificial-intelligence-assisted visual terrain recognition with inertial navigation.

By Kautilya / August 25, 2026
Economy Make in India

India’s Private Space Sector Enters Scale-Up Phase as Startups Target Monthly Launches, Orbital Servicing and Space Pharma

The ambitions emerged from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interaction with founders and chief executives of 20 Indian space startups. The meeting took place on August 21, 2026, while a detailed transcript of the interaction was released on August 23 as India marked National Space Day. Participating companies included Skyroot Aerospace, Agnikul Cosmos, Pixxel, Dhruva Space, Bellatrix Aerospace, Digantara, Manastu Space, OrbitAID Aerospace and several other emerging space companies.

By Kautilya / August 25, 2026
Economy Make in India

Indian Startup Othisis Test-Fires 3D-Printed Methalox Engine for Reusable Rocket Programme

The engine delivered a reported 5 kN of thrust and a total impulse of 100 kN·s during the successful test. Othisis says it designed and built the propulsion system for its reusable launch-vehicle programme and plans to place the engine aboard a vehicle demonstrator later in 2026. The achievement remains a ground-based hot-fire test rather than a flight demonstration, but it moves the startup closer to testing reusable rocket operations.

By Kautilya / August 25, 2026
Ayurveda Health Vidya

AIIA Launches ‘Garbhini Mitra’ Course to Train Maternal Wellness Support Workers in Ayurveda-Based Care

The six-month offline programme draws on traditional Ayurvedic concepts including Garbhini Paricharya, or antenatal care, Sutika Paricharya, covering postnatal care, and Garbhadhana Vidhi, which focuses on pre-conceptional care. The curriculum combines these principles with practical maternal-support skills intended for use in healthcare and community settings.

By Kautilya / August 25, 2026