The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved a significant milestone by developing an indigenous radome for India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) TEJAS MK-1A, marking another important step towards strengthening the country’s defence manufacturing capabilities. According to reports, the breakthrough will help reduce India’s dependence on imported radome systems and boost the domestic aerospace ecosystem. The technology has been developed by the Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) in Pune and has successfully met the required structural, mechanical and electromagnetic performance standards. The system is now ready to be transferred to industry partners for production.
Final flight trials are currently underway to complete the evaluation process. However, officials have stated that the radome has already cleared multiple assessment trials and fulfilled the requirements laid down by the Indian Air Force. A radome is one of the most important components of a fighter aircraft as it forms the nose section and protects the radar antenna installed inside. It allows radar signals to pass through while shielding the sensitive equipment from environmental challenges such as extreme weather conditions, aerodynamic pressure and physical impact. Maintaining its electromagnetic properties is crucial because any interference can affect the aircraft’s ability to detect and track targets.
The newly developed radome has been specifically designed for the TEJAS MK-1A, which is currently being produced for the Indian Air Force. The aircraft’s advanced radar system requires a high-performance radome that can provide structural protection without affecting radar efficiency. The indigenous technology has been developed to remove dependence on foreign suppliers for this critical aerospace component and ensure smoother production of the TEJAS MK-1A programme. The radome complies with all necessary mechanical and electrical specifications required for fighter aircraft operations.
The structure has been designed as a conical composite assembly with variable thickness and is attached to the aircraft’s front fuselage using a metallic interface ring. It also includes provisions for mounting the nose air data probe and features a military-standard lightning protection system. One of the biggest achievements of the project is the successful use of advanced composite materials and domestic manufacturing techniques. The radome has been built using a monolithic fibre-reinforced polymer composite structure made with quartz fibre reinforcement and a cyanate ester resin matrix. The manufacturing process uses resin film infusion technology, which helps achieve high strength, precision and durability.
The radome has been engineered to withstand demanding flight conditions, including aerodynamic forces, high-speed manoeuvres and possible impacts from bird or hail strikes. Its outer surface is coated with an electromagnetic-transparent anti-static paint that improves durability and protects against rain erosion during extended operations.
The system also includes lightning diverter strips designed to safeguard the aircraft’s radar and avionics equipment during harsh weather conditions, ensuring reliable performance in combat environments. The introduction of an indigenous radome is expected to provide a major boost to the TEJAS MK-1A programme by strengthening the supply chain and reducing delays linked to foreign component procurement. As production of the fighter aircraft expands, the technology could play an important role in supporting India’s long-term aerospace manufacturing goals.
Beyond the TEJAS MK-1A, the expertise developed through this project could benefit future platforms, including the TEJAS MK-2, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and other airborne systems that require specialised composite radome technology. The DRDO’s achievement reflects India’s growing capabilities in advanced defence technologies and highlights the country’s continued push towards self-reliance in aerospace manufacturing. Developing such critical systems domestically not only strengthens national security but also enhances India’s position in the global defence technology landscape.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.
For millions of salaried Indians, the feeling that their income has not grown much over the last few years is now backed by official data. Income tax filing records reveal that India’s formal middle class has expanded dramatically over the past decade, but the average salary of people within this group has barely increased. The latest analysis of Income Tax Return Statistics for FY13 and FY23 highlights a major transformation in India’s economy — more people are entering the formal tax-paying workforce, but salary growth for existing workers has remained limited.
While India’s nominal GDP grew at an annual rate of around 10.5% during the decade, total salary income reported by individuals increased at a much faster pace of nearly 16% annually. However, the average salary of individual taxpayers grew by only about 6.5% per year, showing that much of the increase came from a larger number of earners rather than significant income growth for existing taxpayers.
A closer look at the numbers shows that India’s middle-income group has become the biggest beneficiary of economic formalisation. When the middle class is defined as individuals earning between ₹10 lakh and ₹50 lakh annually in salary income, the size of this group has expanded sharply. Its contribution to total salary income increased from just over one-fourth in FY13 to nearly half by FY23.
A decade ago, people earning below ₹10 lakh annually accounted for nearly two-thirds of total salary income. Over time, many workers moved into higher income categories, reducing the dominance of the lower-income segment. The rise of the middle class is mainly a story of expansion rather than higher earnings. The number of taxpayers in the ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh salary bracket increased nearly seven times during the decade, but the average salary within this group remained almost unchanged.
The average salary for this category increased only slightly from ₹16.86 lakh in FY13 to ₹17.33 lakh in FY23. This means that despite the sharp increase in the number of people entering the middle-class income group, individual salary growth remained extremely weak. After adjusting for inflation and taxes, the actual improvement in purchasing power becomes even smaller. The rapid growth of this segment can largely be linked to two factors — upward movement of workers from lower salary brackets and the expansion of formal-sector employment. As more businesses moved into the organised economy and more workers entered payroll-based jobs, the number of salaried taxpayers increased significantly.
This formalisation is a positive development because a larger middle class usually supports economic growth through higher consumption, investment, and demand for goods and services. However, the data also points to a challenge: workers have not gained enough bargaining power to push wages higher despite the growth of formal employment.
The tax records also challenge the common perception that high-income earners have become significantly richer through salary growth. Individuals earning above ₹50 lakh annually actually saw their average salary income decline by around 10% over the decade. This happened because the number of taxpayers in the highest income group increased rapidly, while total salary income did not rise at the same pace. As more people entered this category, the average income per person fell. Similar trends were visible in other income sources, where the overall pool expanded but average earnings did not necessarily increase.
One of the most surprising findings from the data is the performance of the lowest salary-income group. Individuals earning below ₹10 lakh annually recorded the strongest average salary growth among the three categories. Their average salary increased from ₹3.87 lakh in FY13 to ₹5.10 lakh in FY23, representing a growth of around 32% over the decade. Although the increase was not enough to eliminate financial pressures, it was higher compared with the middle-income and high-income groups.
The broader picture emerging from the tax data is that India’s income growth story is largely being driven by expansion in the number of formal workers rather than rapid salary increases for individuals. The country is creating more salaried jobs, bringing more people into the tax system, and expanding the middle class. But for long-term economic growth, the next challenge will be ensuring stronger wage growth.
If salaries fail to rise meaningfully, consumer spending could eventually slow down. Since household consumption is a major driver of India’s economy, weak wage growth could affect business growth, investment, and job creation. For India’s middle class, improving earning potential will depend heavily on skills, productivity, and career mobility. Workers may need to continuously upgrade their skills, explore better opportunities, and adapt to changing job markets to achieve stronger income growth. India’s middle class has undoubtedly grown in size, but the next phase of economic progress will depend on turning that expansion into better salaries, stronger purchasing power, and greater financial security for ordinary workers.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.
The year 2026 could mark a significant turning point in India-European Union relations as changing global dynamics push both sides toward deeper strategic cooperation. Growing tensions involving China, evolving US policies and uncertainties surrounding Russia are creating new opportunities for India and the European Union to strengthen their partnership across trade, technology, security and clean energy.
For years, India and the EU have maintained strong economic relations, but the partnership has often been described as falling short of its full potential. However, the changing international environment is now encouraging both sides to move beyond traditional trade discussions and build a broader strategic alliance. The rise of China as a major economic and military power has become one of the biggest factors influencing this shift. European nations have increasingly focused on reducing dependence on China for critical industries, including technology, manufacturing and essential supply chains. India, with its growing manufacturing capabilities and large consumer market, is emerging as a key partner for Europe’s diversification strategy.
At the same time, India has its own strategic concerns regarding China, particularly because of ongoing border tensions and Beijing’s expanding influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Although India and Europe may not always follow identical approaches toward China, both share an interest in creating more secure and reliable supply networks.
The changing role of the United States in global affairs is another factor bringing India and Europe closer. While Washington remains an important partner for both New Delhi and Brussels, recent debates over trade policies, tariffs and geopolitical priorities have highlighted the importance of building stronger independent partnerships. For the European Union, India represents one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and a potential alternative hub for investment, innovation and manufacturing. For India, closer ties with Europe can provide access to advanced technology, greater foreign investment and expanded opportunities in one of the world's largest markets.
Trade is expected to remain a major pillar of this relationship in 2026. Negotiations for stronger economic cooperation between India and the EU have gained importance as both sides look to increase market access, encourage investment and create more resilient supply chains. Areas such as pharmaceuticals, electric vehicles, renewable energy, artificial intelligence and semiconductor manufacturing are expected to receive greater attention.
Technology cooperation is also becoming a key area of partnership. Through platforms such as the India-EU Trade and Technology Council, both sides are working to improve collaboration in emerging technologies, digital infrastructure and clean energy solutions. The partnership reflects a shared interest in developing secure and sustainable technologies in an increasingly competitive global environment.
Russia’s changing relationship with the West has added another layer of complexity to India-EU ties. India continues to maintain important defence and energy links with Moscow, while European countries have taken a much harder position toward Russia following the Ukraine conflict. Despite these differences, both India and Europe appear interested in managing disagreements while focusing on areas where their interests overlap. Security cooperation is also expected to expand. Maritime security, cybersecurity, defence technology, counterterrorism and space cooperation are becoming increasingly important as India and Europe respond to new global challenges.
However, the path ahead will not be without challenges. Differences over trade regulations, environmental rules, data protection policies and market access could create difficulties during negotiations. European businesses have often called for greater regulatory transparency in India, while New Delhi remains cautious about protecting domestic industries. Despite these challenges, the strategic importance of India-EU relations has grown considerably. A combination of geopolitical uncertainty, China's growing influence, shifting US priorities and Russia-related challenges has created a strong reason for both sides to work more closely.
If India and the European Union can successfully overcome remaining differences and translate discussions into concrete agreements, 2026 could become a historic year for their partnership. The relationship is gradually moving beyond commerce and toward a wider strategic cooperation that could influence the global balance of power in the years ahead.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.
India and Japan are entering a new phase of their strategic partnership as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi look to strengthen cooperation across key areas, including defence, technology, trade, energy, and regional security. The relationship between the two countries, already considered one of Asia’s most important partnerships, is expected to gain further momentum under the leadership of Modi and Takaichi. The two nations are focusing on expanding their cooperation beyond traditional economic ties and building a long-term partnership to address emerging global challenges.
Over the years, India and Japan have developed strong diplomatic and economic relations, with Japan becoming one of India’s major partners in infrastructure development, manufacturing, and investment. Japanese support has played an important role in projects such as high-speed rail, industrial corridors, and urban development initiatives in India.
The new phase of cooperation is expected to place greater emphasis on strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and critical technologies. India’s growing digital economy and large skilled workforce complement Japan’s expertise in technology, engineering, and innovation, creating opportunities for deeper collaboration.
Defence and maritime security are also likely to remain major areas of focus. Both countries have increased their engagement in recent years amid changing security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific region. India and Japan are members of the Quad grouping, along with the United States and Australia, and share a common interest in maintaining a free, open, and stable Indo-Pacific.
Economic cooperation is another key pillar of the partnership. Japanese companies have invested heavily in India’s automobile, electronics, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors. Going forward, both countries are looking to expand cooperation in areas such as electric vehicles, renewable energy, battery technology, and semiconductor production. The growing partnership also reflects wider changes in global supply chains. As countries seek reliable economic and technology partners, India and Japan are working towards building more resilient networks that can support future growth.
However, experts believe that the success of this new era will depend on how effectively both governments translate agreements into actual projects. Faster implementation, stronger private-sector participation, and improved business cooperation will be essential for achieving long-term goals. The Modi-Takaichi era represents a significant moment for India-Japan relations. With shared interests in technology, security, economic development, and regional stability, the two countries are aiming to create a partnership that goes beyond bilateral cooperation and plays a larger role in shaping the future of Asia. As global uncertainties continue to rise, India and Japan’s growing friendship could emerge as a key force in promoting stability, innovation, and economic resilience in the Indo-Pacific region.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.
Paytm founder and CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma has described artificial intelligence as a once-in-a-generation opportunity for India to create jobs, drive innovation, and emerge as a global technology leader. Speaking on X, Sharma said AI should be viewed beyond the fear of job losses, as its long-term impact could create massive economic opportunities. He added that initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission and semiconductor programme can help India build a strong position in the global AI race. Sharma believes India should embrace AI aggressively and use it to accelerate growth, encourage innovation, and achieve the next level of technological progress.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Rescue teams in Japan have continued their search operations overnight as they race to find survivors following a powerful earthquake that struck Kyushu Island. Several people remain unaccounted for after the 7.1-magnitude quake caused buildings to collapse, with many feared trapped beneath the debris of a shopping centre. CNA Senior Correspondent Michiyo Ishida joins Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman to provide the latest updates on the rescue efforts and situation on the ground.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Andy Burnham is set to welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as his first international guest, underscoring the UK's continued commitment to Ukraine. As Burnham unveils his agenda to address long-standing issues such as social care, Pippa Crerar and Jessica Elgot examine whether his proposals can deliver meaningful change.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
India's education minister has stepped down, and the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) is celebrating the development as a significant win. What started as a humorous online campaign has rapidly transformed into one of the country's most closely watched youth-driven movements. By tapping into widespread concerns over unemployment, limited opportunities, and the lack of political representation, the movement has captured national attention. In this discussion, Genevieve Woo speaks with correspondent Neha Poonia about how a campaign centred on the unlikely symbol of a cockroach managed to influence India's political conversation and what it says about a generation determined to make its voice heard despite the odds.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
In a conversation with political editor Tom McIlroy and chief political correspondent Dan Jervis-Bardy during the 50th Labor conference in Adelaide, South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas discussed his state’s political battle with One Nation. He said progressive groups should avoid dismissing or talking down to Pauline Hanson’s supporters, arguing that their concerns need to be understood rather than ignored. Addressing the ongoing debate over the AUKUS submarine deal, Malinauskas acknowledged concerns after the US revealed that Virginia-class submarine production rates had not improved. However, he maintained that walking away from the agreement would create greater strategic risks than the challenges surrounding the controversial defence partnership.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
