News on Indian Economy
The ₹26,176 crore order book spans missile systems, underwater weapons and associated defence equipment. It reflects sustained procurement by the Indian Armed Forces as India expands domestic production of precision-guided weapons under the broader push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
Bharat Forge stated that it showcased an indigenous and distinctive long-range UAV capability in collaboration with Kadet Defence Systems. The company linked the demonstration to its broader objective of strengthening India’s defence and aerospace manufacturing ecosystem through indigenous technology and strategic partnerships.
Inflatable aircraft decoys are designed to resemble real combat aircraft closely enough to mislead hostile surveillance and targeting systems. Their purpose is to create false targets around air bases and dispersed operating locations, forcing an adversary to spend time and resources distinguishing genuine aircraft from replicas.
The dry-engine configuration is fundamentally different from the original Kaveri architecture intended for the Light Combat Aircraft. Removal of the afterburner reduces the engine’s maximum thrust but also makes it better suited to an unmanned aircraft where endurance, fuel efficiency, reliability and lower infrared signature can assume greater importance.v
The estimated tender value is ₹122 crore, while the stipulated completion period is 730 days. The procurement is structured as an open, lump-sum works contract covering technical infrastructure and associated facilities required for the initial operational deployment of HALE remotely piloted aircraft.
The 9% growth in manufacturing was the main contributor to the overall rise in industrial production. Because manufacturing has the highest weight within the IIP framework, its performance has a major influence on the headline industrial growth rate.
Official trade data show that cumulative merchandise exports during April-August 2026-27 reached $215.91 billion, compared with $183.21 billion during the same period a year earlier. This represented growth of 17.85%, while total merchandise and services exports during the five-month period rose by an estimated 15.55% to $399.27 billion.
Total health insurance premium collections crossed ₹1.2 lakh crore during FY 2024-25, making health insurance an increasingly important segment of India’s broader insurance industry. The sector recorded growth of around 9%, supported by rising healthcare costs, greater awareness of medical risks and increasing demand for policies that can reduce the financial burden of hospitalisation.
For FY 2025-26, NALCO declared total dividends of about ₹2,112 crore across interim and final payouts. Based on the Centre’s majority shareholding, the government’s share amounts to approximately ₹1,083 crore.
The expansion is aimed at strengthening India’s domestic capability to test and certify electric vehicles, EV batteries, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, heavy commercial vehicles, powertrains and modern automotive safety technologies.
