Infrastructure

The partnership is significant because lithography is one of the most critical stages in semiconductor manufacturing. In simple terms, lithography is the process through which microscopic circuit patterns are projected and printed layer by layer onto a silicon wafer. ASML’s own technology description says its lithography systems are central to this process, enabling chipmakers to mass-produce patterns on silicon with extreme precision.

The breakthrough is especially notable because AM/NS India has used Submerged Arc Welding, or SAW, to manufacture the EQ70 pipes. SAW is widely used for producing high-quality welds in heavy engineering, but when applied to ultra-high-strength offshore-grade steel, the process becomes technically demanding.

The aggregate business of PSBs rose to ₹283.3 lakh crore as of March 31, 2026, registering 12.8 per cent year-on-year growth. This indicates a broad expansion across the banking system, with both deposits and lending showing strong momentum during the financial year.

The government is working with industry to identify around 100 products that are either not manufactured in India or are produced in inadequate quantities. The focus is not merely on replacing imports, but on building production capacity in areas where India already has industrial capability but faces technology, scale or supply-chain gaps. According to Bhatia, several “unique and interesting” products have already been identified, including auto-sector items such as axles and motorcycle components.

News On Air reported that India’s non-fossil fuel capacity has crossed 50 percent of total installed capacity, reaching 262.7 gigawatts. It also noted that solar and wind energy account for the bulk of recent additions. Official MNRE figures released earlier said India had installed 283.46 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity as of March 31, 2026, including 274.68 GW from renewable energy and 8.78 GW from nuclear power.

Tarapur Unit-2 is part of the historic TAPS Units 1 and 2, India’s first nuclear power reactors based on the Boiling Water Reactor design. Both units began commercial operation in 1969, making them among the oldest operating commercial nuclear power units in Asia. The restart clearance is therefore significant not only as a technical achievement, but also as a demonstration of India’s ability to extend the life of legacy nuclear assets through modern safety upgrades and strict regulatory review.

The PM E-DRIVE Scheme, formally known as the PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement Scheme, has a total outlay of ₹10,900 crore and is aimed at accelerating EV adoption, creating charging infrastructure and strengthening India’s electric vehicle manufacturing ecosystem. The scheme covers demand incentives and infrastructure support for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, buses, trucks, ambulances and other emerging EV segments.

The new Noida R&D centre will support MediaTek’s efforts to expand its engineering talent base and strengthen its research capabilities in India. The company said the facility will work along with its existing Bengaluru operations to accelerate innovation in semiconductor technologies and advanced chip design solutions.

The strongest signal came from exports, which rose sharply by 31.5 percent year-on-year to 16,885 units. This export surge reflects the growing acceptance of Indian construction and earthmoving equipment in overseas markets and points to India’s improving competitiveness in heavy engineering manufacturing.

The significance of chip-packaging units lies in their role at the final but crucial stage of semiconductor manufacturing. After chips are fabricated, they must be assembled, tested, marked and packaged before they can be used in products such as smartphones, automobiles, telecom equipment, consumer electronics, defence systems and industrial devices. By building this capability at home, India can reduce supply-chain vulnerability and gradually move up the semiconductor value chain.