Loading...
| Jan 01, 1970 | Daily Report |
| RISING BHARAT | News Count (102001) | |
141. Lokesh Machines Wins 1,013 ASMI SMG Contract from Assam Rifles
- In February 2026, Assam Rifles placed an order in India for 1,013 indigenous ASMI submachine guns from Hyderabad-based Lokesh Machines to upgrade frontline small-arms capability
- Assam Rifles selected Lokesh Machines as the lowest bidder after techno-commercial evaluation, with the company supplying indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured weapons to support self-reliant defence production.
- The order marks Lokesh Machines’ second ASMI deal after a 2024 Army contract, boosting private-sector defence manufacturing and strengthening India’s push for Atmanirbhar Bharat in small-arms production.
142. BEL Board Approves JV with Safran to Manufacture HAMMER Missiles in India
- In February 2026, Bharat Electronics Limited approved a joint venture with France’s Safran Electronics & Defence to manufacture HAMMER precision-guided air-to-ground missiles in India under the Make-in-India initiative.
- India’s BEL and Safran formed an equal 50:50 JV, enabling phased technology transfer, local assembly, testing, and maintenance to increase indigenous defence production and strengthen Indo-French defence cooperation.
- HAMMER is a modular, high-accuracy precision weapon compatible with aircraft like Rafale and Tejas, boosting India’s strike capability, reducing import dependence, and advancing self-reliance in advanced defence technologies.
143. Government Clears Rs 10,000 Crore Fund of Funds 2.0 for Startups
- On 14 February 2026, the Union Cabinet approved a ₹10,000-crore Startup India Fund of Funds 2.0 in India to mobilise venture capital for startups nationwide.
- The Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister of India, launched the scheme under Startup India, channeling funds through venture capital funds to support early-stage, deep-tech, and innovative manufacturing startups.
- Fund 2.0 builds on FFS 1.0, which backed 145 AIFs investing ₹25,500 crore in 1,370+ startups, aiming to boost innovation, job creation, domestic capital, and India’s global startup competitiveness.
144. PM Modi inaugurates ₹3,030 crore bridge on Brahmaputra
- On 14 February 2026, the Prime Minister of India inaugurated the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu, a major bridge over the Brahmaputra River in Guwahati, Assam, improving connectivity between Guwahati and North Guwahati.
- The Prime Minister of India launched the project along with other Assam initiatives, with the bridge built as part of a wider connectivity corridor to ease congestion and enhance transport infrastructure across the Northeast region.
- The ₹3,000-crore, 1.24-km extradosed bridge is expected to cut travel time from about 45–60 minutes to 7–10 minutes, boosting trade, tourism, and economic activity in Assam and nearby areas.
Click here to find 758 similar incidents of North East India -> Infrastructure Development
145. 51 new Ayushman Centres opened
- On 14 February 2026, Delhi inaugurated 51 new Ayushman Arogya Mandir centres across the national capital, increasing the total to 370 neighbourhood health clinics within one year.
- The Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Transport, and Information Technology for Delhi, with officials and local MLAs, launched the centres in phases, expanding government-run primary healthcare facilities to provide accessible medical services in local communities.
- Over 14 lakh residents have already received treatment through these centres, which aim to strengthen primary healthcare infrastructure and ensure timely, affordable medical care across Delhi.
146. India to overtake US as world’s second-largest solar market in 2026: BNEF
- In 2026, India is projected to overtake the United States globally to become the second-largest solar market, after China, due to strong solar capacity additions across India.
- BloombergNEF analysts forecast this shift, estimating India will add over 50 GW solar capacity through utility-scale projects and rooftop subsidies, while US installations may drop to about 44 GW due to policy hurdles.
- India’s solar additions are expected to grow 6% year-on-year, supported by government incentives, making India a major clean-energy driver globally, while China remains the largest solar market.
147. Centre clears India's first Rs 18,662-cr rail-road tunnel under Brahmaputra
- On 14 February 2026, the Union Cabinet approved India’s first ₹18,662-crore rail-road twin-tube underwater tunnel under the Brahmaputra River in Assam, connecting Gohpur (NH-15) and Numaligarh (NH-715).
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, cleared the project to be built under EPC mode as a 33.7-km four-lane greenfield corridor with a 15.79-km tunnel integrating road and rail links.
- The tunnel will cut travel distance from 240 km to 34 km, reduce six-hour travel to about 20 minutes, boost Northeast connectivity, defence logistics, tourism, and economic activity across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
148. Why the new Emergency Landing Facility in Assam is a big boost for Indian defence
- On 14 February 2026, the Prime Minister of India inaugurated the Northeast’s first Emergency Landing Facility at Moran, Dibrugarh district, Assam, less than 300 km from the China border.
- The project was launched by the Prime Minister of India with Indian Air Force coordination, converting a highway stretch into a dual-use runway enabling fighter and transport aircraft landings for defence operations and emergencies.
- The ₹100-crore facility strengthens military logistics, disaster response, and regional connectivity; it can handle fighter jets up to 40 tonnes and transport aircraft up to 74 tonnes.
149. Indian Deep-Tech Pioneer Space Fields Successfully Tests Historic Naval Rocket Solid Motor
- On 13 February 2026, Bengaluru-based deep-tech startup Space Fields successfully hot-fired a world-first naval solid rocket motor in India, marking a milestone in indigenous defence propulsion technology
- Space Fields, founded by former DRDO engineers, designed and delivered the motor under Indian Navy oversight, using advanced composite casings, proprietary propellants, and AI-driven testing to meet strict military-grade standards.
- The innovation could cut import costs by up to 40%, boost naval missile and underwater-system capability, strengthen private-sector defence participation, and enhance India’s self-reliance in aerospace and maritime security technologies.
Click here to find 460 similar incidents of Make in India / Atmanirbhar -> Space
150. Akash-NG air defense system upgrade: DRDO increases range to 80 km, will target enemies selectively
- on 14 February 2026, DRDO upgraded India’s Akash-NG air-defence missile system in India, boosting range to about 80 km and improving target-hitting ability against modern aerial threats.
- India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation enhanced Akash-NG using an AESA radar, dual-pulse rocket motor, and advanced seeker technology, improving speed, accuracy, and interception capability against aircraft, drones, and missiles.
- The upgraded Akash-NG strengthens India’s indigenous air-defence shield, increases strike range and mobility, counters high-speed targets, and supports Atmanirbhar Bharat by improving layered defence capability for the armed forces.