October 1, 2026

Kautilya

Diplomacy

PM Modi Receives Sweden’s Royal Order of the Polar Star, Becomes First Asian Leader to Get Honour

The honour is significant because it is Sweden’s highest distinction conferred on foreign Heads of Government for exceptional public service and contribution towards strengthening relations with Sweden. According to the Press Information Bureau, Prime Minister Modi is also the first Asian leader to receive this award, making the conferment an important diplomatic milestone for India as well as for India-Sweden relations.

By Kautilya / May 19, 2026
Economy Infrastructure

US Nuclear Industry Delegation Visits India as Private Sector Opening Reshapes Nuclear Energy Market

For decades, India’s nuclear power sector was almost entirely state-driven, shaped by strategic restrictions, public-sector control and liability concerns that limited the participation of foreign and private companies. That structure is now changing. India has set an ambitious goal of developing 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047, making nuclear energy a major pillar of its long-term energy transition and energy security strategy.

By Kautilya / May 19, 2026
Defense

India’s Near-Space Ambition Takes Shape as Red Balloon Aerospace Tests Super-Pressure Balloon

A super-pressure balloon is not an ordinary weather balloon. It is a specialised high-altitude platform designed to maintain internal pressure greater than the surrounding atmosphere, allowing it to remain stable at high altitudes for longer periods. Such balloons operate in the stratospheric or “near-space” layer, roughly between conventional aircraft altitudes and satellite orbits. This makes them useful for missions where satellites may be expensive and drones may lack endurance.

By Kautilya / May 19, 2026
Heritage Indian Legends

Mullakkal Rajarajeswari Temple, Alappuzha: The Bhagavathy Shrine at the Heart of Alleppey

The presiding deity of the temple is Goddess Rajarajeswari, worshipped here as a powerful form of Bhagavathy/Durga. Kerala Tourism describes the temple as a grand Kerala-style shrine where Goddess Durga is the main deity, with other deities including Hanuman, Ganesha, Krishna, Ayyappa, Nagaraja and the Navagrahas also worshipped within the temple complex. The temple is believed to be around 500 years old, making it one of the important historic temples associated with Alappuzha’s religious landscape.

By Kautilya / May 19, 2026
Vidya

CBSE’s Three-Language Rule for Classes 9 and 10 Marks a Major Shift in Secondary Education

Under the new arrangement, students will study three languages, and at least two of them must be native Indian languages. Students who wish to take a foreign language may do so as the third language only if the other two are Indian languages, or they may take it as an additional fourth language. This means the policy does not shut the door on foreign languages, but it clearly gives priority to Indian languages within the core curriculum.

By Kautilya / May 18, 2026