Rare Lowland Bird Recorded at Higher Altitudes in Uttarakhand’s Himalayas

In a noteworthy development for Himalayan biodiversity studies, the rare Sirkeer Malkoha has been recorded for the first time in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. The sighting was made earlier this month by a forest department team from the Upper Yamuna Forest Division near Barkot, marking a significant addition to the district’s avifaunal records.

CQB Carbines and Heavyweight Torpedoes to Strengthen India’s Land and Maritime Combat Readiness

In a significant push towards defence modernisation and operational preparedness, the Ministry of Defence has signed procurement contracts worth ₹4,666 crore. The agreements cover the induction of Close Quarter Battle (CQB) Carbines for frontline troops and Heavyweight Torpedoes for submarines, reflecting a balanced focus on both land and maritime combat capabilities.

DRDO Validates Pralay Missile Through Salvo Launch, Boosting India’s Conventional Deterrence

India has taken a significant step in strengthening its battlefield missile capability with the successful user trial of the indigenous Pralay missile. The trial, conducted on December 31, 2025, validated the system’s operational readiness and underscored India’s growing self-reliance in advanced missile technologies under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme Phase-III Strengthens India’s Import Substitution Drive

The Union government has approved the third phase of the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) with a substantial outlay of ₹41,863 crore, marking a major step in India’s strategy to deepen domestic electronics manufacturing. The decision reinforces the country’s objective of reducing import dependence, strengthening supply-chain resilience, and building a globally competitive electronics component ecosystem aligned with industrial growth and export ambitions.

Rural Connectivity Milestone: HRTC Bus Reaches Remote Tumman Village in Mandi

Nearly eight decades after Independence, Tumman village in Himachal Pradesh has finally been connected to the public transport network. On December 31, 2025, a government-run bus of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation rolled into the village for the first time, marking a historic milestone in rural connectivity and infrastructure development.