Thursday, October 15, 2026
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Rajnath unveils measures to boost MSME, start-up participation in defence sector

New Delhi, Sep 15 (NVI): Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday unveiled a slew of policy initiatives aimed at lowering technical and financial entry barriers for MSMEs and deep-tech start-ups and launched a framework for sharing DRDO-developed software source codes with licensed industries.

The initiatives were announced at ‘VIMARSH 2026’, a DRDO-Industry Synergy Meet held here, as the government seeks to deepen private sector participation in defence research, development and manufacturing.

Nine Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LAToTs) were handed over to 13 manufacturing partners to enable commercial production of advanced defence systems.

Strategic MoUs were also exchanged with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB) to expand industry outreach and promote greater participation at the grassroots level.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) also signed a contract with the Quality Council of India for System for Advance Manufacturing Assessment and Rating (SAMAR) version 2.0 to benchmark the manufacturing maturity of domestic defence enterprises.

Addressing the gathering, Singh said DRDO-industry collaboration should extend beyond production to the entire value chain, including research, design, testing, certification and manufacturing.

He called for integrating MSMEs and start-ups as an integral part of the defence supply chain alongside large industries to transform India into a global hub for defence manufacturing.

“DRDO possesses knowledge and technology, the industry has scale and manufacturing capability, start-ups bring innovation and agility, and the youth hold the dream of a New India. When these four forces converge and move forward together, no goal is impossible,” Singh said.

He said the goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’ was not merely to build an economically strong nation but also a technologically self-reliant, socially inclusive, environmentally sustainable and strategically secure country.

“By 2047, we must achieve Aatmanirbharta in critical technologies, a significant increase in indigenous content, multi-fold growth in defence exports, and a robust presence for India in global supply chains,” the defence minister said.

Singh highlighted reforms undertaken in the defence sector in recent years, including Positive Indigenisation Lists, the ‘Make in India’ initiative, iDEX and ADITI, besides the decision to allocate 25 per cent of the defence R&D budget to the private sector.

He said grants were being provided to start-ups through the Technology Development Fund and several technologies had already reached the production stage.

The minister said iDEX had created a new ecosystem for defence innovation by enabling start-ups to develop solutions based on actual operational requirements.

Describing MSMEs and start-ups as “new flag-bearers of innovation”, Singh said they play a key role in developing components and sub-systems for major defence platforms as well as cutting-edge technologies.

He said the new initiatives focus on industry-led research and development, funding and mentorship for MSMEs and start-ups, academia-industry collaboration and investment in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, hypersonics and directed-energy systems.

“As India is rapidly transitioning from a defence importer to an exporter, there are a number of sectors such as drone technology, AI and cyber security where the MSMEs and start-ups can accelerate innovation,” Singh said.

He urged MSMEs to focus on quality, timely delivery, innovation and global standards while expanding partnerships with large companies.

Speaking at the event, Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh said VIMARSH 2026, themed ‘Varta se Vikas’, was aimed at aligning commercial innovation with national defence preparedness and integrating private sector capabilities into the core defence ecosystem.

He said the forum sought to move the defence sector away from a transactional buyer-seller relationship towards a collaborative technology ecosystem.

Rajesh Kumar Singh said more than 2,300 technology transfers had so far been handed over to over 1,100 industries, benefiting MSMEs and expanding the country’s manufacturing base.

He added that DRDO-developed technologies related to around 50 missiles had been made available to industry to encourage greater participation.

A book titled ‘Defence Systems for Resilient Bharat – Advancing Aatmanirbharta in Defence’, documenting major defence systems developed by DRDO’s technology clusters between 2014 and 2026, was also released.

Guidelines for Human Resource Outsourcing Service Contracts in DRDO were also launched at the event.

The meet was attended by more than 250 defence industry leaders, representatives of industry chambers, senior civil and military officials and DRDO scientists. Secretary, DPIIT also participated in the event.

During technical sessions, DRDO’s technological clusters presented roadmaps covering aeronautical systems, missiles, armaments, microelectronics and naval systems.

Senior officials from DRDO, the Department of Defence Production and the armed forces also discussed measures to accelerate technology absorption, optimise Development-cum-Production Partner models and facilitate faster induction of indigenous technologies into active service.—(NVI)

 

EOW Kashmir secures Rs 4.5 crore refund for 13 affected depositors

Srinagar, Sep 15 (NVI) The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) Kashmir of the Crime Branch J&K has facilitated the refund of around Rs 4.50 crore to 13 depositors affected by alleged financial irregularities at an HDFC Bank branch in Shopian, officials said on Tuesday.

The refunds were made by HDFC Bank following the investigation and action taken by the EOW Kashmir in the case, they said.

The case relates to FIR No. 30/2025, registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act following a complaint regarding alleged financial irregularities at the HDFC Bank branch in Shopian.

The case was later transferred to the Crime Branch J&K on the directions of the Police Headquarters for detailed investigation.

During the probe, the EOW Kashmir identified five principal accused, including former branch managers and employees of the bank posted in Shopian and Pulwama. All five were arrested on February 18, 2026, officials said.

After completing the investigation, the EOW filed a chargesheet against 11 accused before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Shopian, in May 2026.

The criminal proceedings in the case are continuing before the competent court.

The EOW Kashmir said it would pursue the matter to its logical conclusion and ensure that the accused are dealt with in accordance with law.—(NVI)

VDG member injured in accidental firing in J&K’s Udhampur

Representational Picture

Shivam Bakshi

Udhampur, Sep 15 (NVI) :A Village Defence Guard (VDG) member was injured after his rifle allegedly went off accidentally in Majalta area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Tuesday, officials said.

The injured man, identified as Parshotam Lal, a resident of Chore Panjian in Majalta, sustained a gunshot wound to his abdomen, they said.

He was shifted to a hospital for treatment. His condition was not immediately known.

Police have initiated an investigation and are ascertaining the circumstances leading to the incident, officials said.—(NVI)

Pakistan’s old gimmick again: Declares JeM chief Masood Azhar fugitive, raises reward amount

A file photo of Masood Azhar in Islamabad

New Delhi, Sept 14 (NVI) Playing its old gimmick once again, Pakistan has announced that Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist outfit chief Masood Azhar, an accomplice and protectee of its own intelligence agency ISI, is a wanted man in that country and declared an enhanced reward of 70 lakh Pakistani Rupees for information leading to him.

The gimmick comes ahead of the October meeting of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), a global watchdog of terror financing where Pakistan’s complicity with outfits like JeM is expected to come up for scrutiny.

It also comes days after Pakistan claimed that Azhar was in Afghanistan, whose rulers Taliban rejected the claim.

He has mastermined numerous deadly terror attacks in India, including one on Parliament in December 2001 and the Mumbai attacks in November 2008.
Masood Azhar, who has been nurtured by the ISI and given all funds and support by it for its terror outfit JeM, already figures in the list of designated terrorists of the UN Security Council.
In fact, it was with the help of ISI that 5 terrorists hijacked Indian Airlines plane IC-814 in December 1999 and secured release of Azhar and two other dreaded terrorists from Indian jails. Azhar had been arrested in 1993 in Kashmir for promoting terrorism.
In view of the upcoming FATF plenary meeting, Pakistan has lately been claiming that Azhar is not in that country.

According to the technical analysis by the Indian intelligence agencies over the last six months, Azhar is stationed in Nawabshah city within Pakistan’s Sindh province.

He was shifted there by ISI after India carried out a massive air attack on JeM’s headquarters in Bahawalpur in May last year.

FATF is an intergovernmental organisation that serves as the principal global watchdog against money laundering and terrorist financing and it came into existence in 1989.

It currently has 40 members including India, China, Gulf Cooperation Council, European Commission and others.

Pakistan was earlier put on the ‘Grey List’ of the FATF, which involves close monitoring, for several years because of its government’s linkages with terror financiing and money laundering.

If blacklisted, a country is denied finances by the international institutions like World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Pakistan is heavily depending on loans from these institutions as it is facing acute financial crisis. (NVI)

TTP claims killing 13 Pakistani military personnel in multiple attacks

TTP
Special squad of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) undergoing training. (File Pic)

Peshawar, Sept 15 (NVI) Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) tonight claimed to have killed 13 personnel of the Pakistani forces and injured several other in multiple attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan since Sunday.

It added that there were strong possibilities of more casualties and loss of property to the Pakistani military in various attacks.

At least 7 personnel of the Pakistani forces were confirmed dead and two injured in an ambush on a military convoy in Dera Ismail Khan district on Sunday, TTP spokesman Muhammad Khorasani said in a statement.

He said the soldiers were returning to their camp after a raid on TTP when the convoy was attacked from close range in Henar area.

Four personnel of police and associated so-called ‘peace committee’ were killed in an ambush by TTP in Bannu district’s Domail, the spokesman said.

The remaining personnel of police fled from the scene of the fierce attack by TTP in Hathikhel area, he added.

TTP also killed a Pakistani soldier in a sniper attack on a military camp in Shekai in South Waziristan district, Khorasani said.

The camp located in Sippange is under siege of the TTP, he said.

He added that there is also a strong possibility of the military casualties and property losses due to intermittent attacks on a camp located in Jangjaur in Shekai in South Waziristan district.

There is a strong possibility of enemy casualties in TTP attacks in North Waziristan and Peshawar districts as well, the spokesman said. (NVI)

Sharp fall in Gold prices

Mumbai, Sept 14 (NVI) Gold prices fell sharply today as markets increased bets that the US Federal Reserve could raise interest rates at its policy meeting this week, with stronger inflation and rising oil prices adding to expectations of tighter monetary policy.

Spot gold fell 1.3 per cent to USD 4,292 an ounce, slipping below the USD 4,300 mark, while US gold futures declined 1.4 per cent to USD 4,348.50.

The dollar also strengthened to its highest level in more than a week, adding further pressure on bullion for buyers using other currencies.

Markets are now pricing in an 89 per cent probability of a Fed rate hike this week, up from 67 per cent before last week’s inflation data. Goldman Sachs and HSBC have also forecast a 25 basis point increase at the Fed’s Tuesday-Wednesday meeting.

US consumer prices accelerated in August, while a key measure of underlying inflation recorded its largest increase in four months. The data has strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve could maintain a hawkish stance on monetary policy.

Rising oil prices have added another complication for policymakers. Oil prices gained around 3 per cent on Monday after strikes targeted Saudi energy and civilian infrastructure. Iranian attacks on Gulf shipping also raised concerns over supply, while the closure of a key Saudi oil pipeline further tightened the supply outlook.

Higher interest rates tend to weigh on gold because the precious metal does not generate interest income, making it relatively less attractive compared with interest-bearing assets.

Other precious metals also declined. Spot silver fell 1.9 per cent to USD 63.22 an ounce, while platinum dropped 1.4 per cent to USD 1,770.82 and palladium declined 1.4 per cent to USD 1,280.97. (NVI)

No charges to be levied on UPI transactions by banks, payment system providers: Govt

New Delhi, Sept 14 (NVI) The government has clarified that banks and payment system providers cannot levy direct or indirect charges on UPI transactions of up to Rs 2,000, providing greater certainty over the cost of small-value digital payments.

The clarification comes after amendments to the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, had raised concerns that UPI transactions could eventually attract charges.

The government has maintained that consumers will not be charged for using UPI, while any future merchant discount rate (MDR) would be restricted to a limited set of merchant transactions above a prescribed threshold.

Person-to-person payments will continue to remain free, while the government has said the vast majority of merchant transactions will also remain free of charge. Any future MDR would be nominal and apply only to specified merchant transactions.

The clarification also covers payments made through RuPay-powered debit cards, under the government’s broader framework for supporting digital payments.

The government has said the legislative changes are intended to provide an enabling framework for the long-term sustainability of UPI, while supporting financial inclusion, technological development, cybersecurity and resilience against emerging risks.

The move comes as UPI continues to expand rapidly across India’s digital payments ecosystem.

UPI processed 2,366 crore transactions worth Rs 29.9 lakh crore in July 2026, according to the Finance Ministry.

For consumers, the key takeaway is that UPI payments up to Rs 2,000 remain free, while any future charges on higher-value merchant transactions would depend on separate decisions and notifications under the revised framework. (NVI)

Three Held for Alleged Logistical Support to Terrorists in J&K’s Rajouri

Shivam Bakshi

Rajouri, Sept 14 (NVI): Police have busted an alleged overground worker (OGW) network linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in the Pir Panjal region and arrested three persons, officials said on Monday.

The arrested persons have been identified as Zakir Hussain, Mohd Azam, both residents of Kotcharwal Teryath, and Mohd Mushtaq of Udhan in Rajouri.

According to police, the accused were allegedly involved in providing logistical support, safe transit and other assistance to terrorists operating in the region.

The investigation has also revealed that the accused allegedly worked as guides and facilitated the movement of terrorist groups towards the Kashmir Valley. They are also suspected of providing ground support to terrorists linked to multiple attacks, including an attack targeting civilians, police said.

An improvised explosive device (IED) was also recovered based on the disclosure of one of the arrested persons, police said.

Preliminary investigation indicates that the device was allegedly handed over to the accused by members of a terrorist group for safe custody and possible use in a targeted attack.

Police said further investigation is underway to identify other associates, establish the wider network and ascertain the full extent of the accused persons’ involvement.—(NVI)

Army Commander reviews security, operational preparedness in Akhnoor sector

Shivam Bakshi

Jammu, Sep 14 (NVI): Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma on Monday visited forward areas of the Akhnoor sector in Jammu and Kashmir to assess the security situation and review the operational readiness of troops deployed in the area.

Lt Gen Sharma took stock of the prevailing security dynamics and the preparedness of units to respond to emerging challenges.

The Army Commander commended the troops for their steadfast resolve and high morale in safeguarding the nation.

He exhorted all ranks to strive for excellence in operational capabilities and remain vigilant, responsive and combat-ready at all times.—(NVI)

Rs 45 Lakh Property of Alleged Terror Handler Attached in J&K’s Rajouri

Shivam Bakshi

Rajouri, Sep 14 (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday attached immovable property belonging to an alleged terror handler in Thanamandi area of Rajouri district under provisions of law, officials said.

The property belongs to Nazarat Hussain, son of Mohd Sadiq, a resident of Niali Thanamandi. It was attached in connection with FIR No. 04/2011 registered under Sections 3 and 4 of the Enemy Agents and Information Act at Police Station Thanamandi, officials said.

The attached land comprises Khasra Nos. 33, 34, 39, 51, 52, 53, 58, 59, 60, 65 and 89, measuring 1 kanal and 2.5 marlas, with an estimated value of around Rs 45 lakh.

During the proceedings, attachment boards were installed on the land, marking the property as attached under law.

Police said the action was part of its ongoing efforts to dismantle networks supporting terrorism and take legal action against individuals involved in anti-national activities.—(NVI)

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