August 14, 2026

Kautilya

Defense

DRDO’s 1,200-Second Scramjet Test Marks Major Step in India’s Hypersonic Missile Programme

A scramjet, or supersonic combustion ramjet, is an air-breathing engine designed for flight at hypersonic speeds, generally above Mach 5. Unlike conventional rocket motors that carry both fuel and oxidiser, a scramjet uses oxygen from the atmosphere, allowing sustained high-speed flight in the atmosphere. This makes the technology highly valuable for long-range hypersonic cruise missiles, where speed, manoeuvrability and reduced reaction time for enemy air-defence systems are crucial.

By Kautilya / May 11, 2026
Ayurveda Food and Frolic Health

Asafoetida in Ayurveda: The Fierce Little Pinch That Turns Food Into Medicine

In Ayurveda, Hingu is valued mainly as a Deepana-Pachana dravya — a substance that kindles digestive fire and helps the body process food properly. This is why Indian cooking traditionally adds a tiny pinch of hing to dals, sambar, rasam, kadhi, chana, rajma, yam, colocasia, leafy vegetables and other foods that may otherwise produce heaviness, bloating or gas. The idea is simple but profound: digestion is not an afterthought in Indian food; digestion is built into the recipe itself.

By Kautilya / May 11, 2026
Economy Infrastructure

India Becomes World’s Third-Largest Renewable Energy Market as Clean Power Capacity Crosses 50% Mark

India’s broader energy mix is also undergoing a visible transformation. The country’s non-fossil fuel capacity has crossed 50 percent of total installed power capacity, reaching 262.7 gigawatts. Solar and wind power have contributed the largest share of recent capacity additions, reinforcing India’s position as one of the fastest-growing clean energy markets in the world.

By Kautilya / May 11, 2026
Defense Diplomacy

INS Sagardhwani Visit to Vietnam Deepens India–Vietnam Maritime and Scientific Cooperation

The visit also carried a strong naval training component. The Commanding Officer interacted with Sr Capt Ho Thanh Hoa, Deputy Director of the Naval Academy of Vietnam, where talks centred on cooperation in naval education and training. Officers and cadets from the academy also visited INS Sagardhwani, where they were briefed on the ship’s operational role and onboard capabilities.

By Kautilya / May 11, 2026
Health

Centre Deploys AI Tools to Crack Down on Fake Ayushman Bharat Claims

According to reports, the Centre is integrating AI-powered analytics into the claims adjudication process under Ayushman Bharat to improve transparency, reduce financial leakages, and accelerate the settlement of legitimate insurance claims. The initiative is being led through the National Health Authority (NHA), which administers the world’s largest government-funded health insurance programme.

By Kautilya / May 11, 2026
Heritage Temples and Places

Sabarimala Sree Ayyappa Temple — The Sacred Mountain Shrine of Dharma, Devotion and Ancient Tradition

Sabarimala is not merely a temple; it is a living civilisational tradition deeply intertwined with Kerala’s forest culture, ancient tribal customs, Tantric ritual systems, royal patronage, Shaiva-Vaishnava synthesis, and spiritual austerity. The pilgrimage is regarded as one of the world’s largest annual religious gatherings and is unique for its rigorous discipline, communal equality, and ancient customs that continue largely unchanged even in the modern era.

By Kautilya / May 11, 2026
Economy Intervention

Centre Fully Operationalises Four Labour Codes, Marking India’s Biggest Labour Law Overhaul in Decades

The four codes are the Code on Wages, 2019, the Industrial Relations Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security, 2020, and the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020. The government had already made the four codes effective from November 21, 2025, rationalising 29 existing central labour laws into a simplified framework. The latest publication of rules now completes the operational framework needed for implementation.

By Kautilya / May 10, 2026
Economy Infrastructure

India’s Power Sector Set for 5–6% Growth as Demand, Renewables and Grid Investment Enter New Cycle

The demand story is changing because electricity is no longer being pulled only by households and traditional industry. New demand centres are emerging from data centres, electric mobility, cooling systems, agriculture pumps, electronics manufacturing, industrial corridors and policy-backed manufacturing sectors. These areas require not only more electricity, but also more reliable electricity across different times of the day.

By Kautilya / May 10, 2026
Defense

Mission Drishti: GalaxEye’s Push to Give India Persistent All-Weather Space Surveillance

Mission Drishti attempts to bridge this gap through what GalaxEye describes as a “multi-sensor fusion” approach. The company’s architecture seeks to combine SAR and optical payload data into integrated intelligence products capable of delivering both high reliability and human-readable situational awareness. This creates the possibility of near-persistent observation of sensitive regions with significantly enhanced target detection and monitoring capability.

By Kautilya / May 10, 2026