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| Jan 01, 1970 | Daily Report |
| RISING BHARAT | News Count (102076) | |
541. Digantara Raises $50M for Global Expansion
- On December 18, 2025, Digantara, an Indian space surveillance startup headquartered in Bengaluru, has raised $50 million in a Series B funding round in late 2025 to expand beyond space situational awareness into missile tracking and defense-related space technologies, responding to growing global demand.
- The funding round, led by investors including 360 ONE Asset, SBI Investment of Japan, and Ronnie Screwvala, will help Digantara deploy space- and ground-based infrared sensors, advanced analytics, and a constellation of satellites to provide faster detection and tracking than traditional ground radar, addressing increased missile launches and satellite interference worldwide.
- The funding round, led by investors including 360 ONE Asset, SBI Investment of Japan, and Ronnie Screwvala, will help Digantara deploy space- and ground-based infrared sensors, advanced analytics, and a constellation of satellites to provide faster detection and tracking than traditional ground radar, addressing increased missile launches and satellite interference worldwide.
542. IG BSF Punjab visits flood-affected border areas in Ferozepur
- Inspector General of Border Security Force (BSF) Punjab Frontier, Atul Fulzele, visited flood-affected border villages and posts on the Ferozepur border to review the flood situation and assess the ongoing relief measures.
- While visiting Medical camps being organised by the BSF, he urged local residents to fully avail the free medical and veterinary facilities through such camps which are planned daily for next few days across the flood-affected villages along the Punjab border.
- In flood-affected Punjab, the Indian Army conducted a relief operation in the Fazilika district on Saturday. As a part of the operation, the army continues to provide relief materials and rescue people from the impacted areas. Furthermore, the Indian Army has also established medical camps to treat patients affected by the flood.
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543. Over $3 billion of Indian exports could become tariff-free under FTA with Oman
- On December 18,2025,India and Oman are sign to a trade agreement (CEPA) during Prime Minister visit to Muscat, which could make Indian exports worth over $3 billion tariff-free in the Gulf nation.
- The deal will reduce or remove import duties—currently around 5% on 83.5% of Indian exports to Oman ($3.42 billion in FY25)—benefiting sectors such as engineering goods, chemicals, textiles, pharmaceuticals, automobiles and electronics.
- India-Oman trade crossed $10 billion in FY25, India runs a $2.5-billion trade deficit The agreement aims to boost exports, support labour-intensive sectors like textiles, and deepen economic ties after five negotiation rounds since November 2023.
Click here to find 77 similar incidents of Make in India / Atmanirbhar -> Textiles and Garments
544. BSF organises medical camps in flood-affected areas of Jammu
- After floods in several districts of Jammu led to widespread havoc, the Border Security Force (BSF) undertook an initiative to provide medical care to the affected people.
- The BSF, on 14 September 2025, organised a mobile medical relief camp at village Kasblari, Mankot, District Poonch, to provide medical aid to rain-affected residents of Kasblari and adjoining areas.
- According to the officials, BSF doctors and paramedics carried out health check-ups of 130 villagers and distributed essential medicines during the camp. As part of the ongoing efforts, another medical camp will be organised on September 16 in the border area of Samba district, in collaboration with about 15 leading specialist doctors from Jammu.
- This initiative aims to provide advanced healthcare support to the border population. Notably, on September 13, BSF organised a medical camp in the flood-affected village of Hamirpur Kona, Pragwal, Jammu, to provide relief to the affected citizens.
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545. MSME exports cross ₹9.52 lakh crore in April–September FY26
- On December 18, 2025, the government informed Parliament that during the first half of FY 2025–26 (April–September), India’s micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) exported goods worth ₹9.52 lakh crore. The information was shared by Minister of State for MSMEs Shobha Karandlaje in a written reply in the Lok Sabha, based on data compiled from the DGCI&S portal.
- The strong export performance was driven by high-value and technology-intensive sectors such as electronic goods, pharmaceuticals and engineering products, where MSMEs play a crucial role. The data reflects exports linked to identified MSME products across multiple sectors.
- To strengthen MSME exports, the government has rolled out the Export Promotion Mission (EPM), offering financial support through Niryat Protsahan and non-financial assistance via Niryat Disha for quality standards, compliance, logistics and market access. Additionally, lower GST rates on inputs have reduced costs, improved competitiveness and supported MSME-led export growth.
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546. रूस-चीन और यूके के रेलवे नेटवर्क से आगे निकला भारत, रचा इतिहास, रेलमंत्री ने भरी संसद में किया खुलासा
- रेल मंत्री ने 18 दिसंबर 2025 को संसद में जानकारी दी कि भारतीय रेलवे ने अपने ब्रॉड गेज नेटवर्क का 99.2% इलेक्ट्रिफिकेशन पूरा कर लिया है, जो देश के रेलवे इतिहास में एक महत्वपूर्ण उपलब्धि है।
- यह उपलब्धि देश के 25 राज्यों और केंद्र शासित प्रदेशों के रेलवे नेटवर्क पर लागू होती है, जिसमें 14 रेलवे जोन पूरी तरह से इलेक्ट्रिफाइड हैं और अधिकांश अन्य जोन 95% से अधिक इलेक्ट्रिफाइड हैं। अंतरराष्ट्रीय तुलना में भारत इस मामले में यूके (39%), रूस (52%) और चीन (82%) से आगे है, केवल स्विट्ज़रलैंड 100% के साथ आगे है।
- तेज़ इलेक्ट्रिफिकेशन का उद्देश्य डीजल पर निर्भरता कम करना, कार्बन उत्सर्जन घटाना और रेलवे संचालन को आधुनिक बनाना है। 2014-2025 के बीच भारत ने 46,900 रूट किलोमीटर इलेक्ट्रिफाइड किया, जो इससे पहले के 60 सालों में किए गए काम से दोगुना है। अब सभी नई लाइन और मल्टी-ट्रैकिंग परियोजनाओं में इलेक्ट्रिफिकेशन को अनिवार्य रूप से शामिल किया जा रहा है।
547. India’s Textiles Exports See 4.6 pc Growth in Last Four Fiscals, Exports Rise in Over 100 Nations
- On December 17, 2025, the Union Textiles Minister stated that India’s textile and apparel exports rose from USD 31.58 billion in 2020–21 to USD 37.75 billion in 2024–25, growing at a CAGR of 4.6%.
- India’s exports of Initiatives like PM MITRA Parks, PLI Scheme for Textiles, SAMARTH, and Silk Samagra-2 are modernizing infrastructure, boosting skills, and attracting investment.
- The Ministry Programs like Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata and the India Handmade e-commerce portal provide tools, credit, and market access to tens of thousands of weavers and artisans.
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548. Chandigarh Startup count rises from 10 to 633 in 10 yrs
- On December 17, 2025, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade told the Lok Sabha that Chandigarh’s DPIIT-recognised startups have increased from fewer than 10 in 2016 to 633 by October 31, 2025.
- Employment & Women Participation Startups in the city created 6,260 jobs (up from under 300 in 2017), and 297 startups now have at least one woman director or partner.
- The Chandigarh Startup Policy 2025 was notified on April 29, 2025, Operational guidelines and The Rs 10 crore annual corpus.
549. DRDO Taps Global 6500 Business Jets for IAF ISTAR Programme to Expand Intelligence and Surveillance Capabilities
- On December 17, 2025,DRDO chose the Bombardier Global 6500 for the IAF’s ₹10,000 crore ISTAR programme, planning to acquire three aircraft for aerial surveillance and reconnaissance.
- The jet has a range of 6,600 nautical miles (12,000+ km), flies up to 51,000 feet, at speeds near Mach 0.90 (950 km/h), with a cabin retrofitted for SAR, ELINT, and MTI radar systems for 10–12 hour missions.
- ISTAR jets will monitor borders along LoC and LAC, provide real-time battlefield data, and work with Rafale jets, Apache helicopters, and Heron drones to strengthen India’s defence network.
550. Indian Railways boosts fertiliser transport, loading up 11.7% this year
- On December 16, 2025, Indian Railways transported 17,168 fertiliser rakes up to 30 November, marking an 11.7% increase over 15,369 rakes moved during the same period last year, ensuring timely availability for farmers nationwide.
- By prioritising fertiliser and foodgrain trains, Railways has ensured uninterrupted agricultural supplies, supporting farm productivity, rural livelihoods, food security, while offering a greener, large-scale transport solution that reduces road congestion and carbon emissions.
- Railways achieved major safety gains with consequential train accidents falling sharply from an average of 171 per year (2004–14) to just 11 in 2025–26 so far, reflecting stronger safety, reliability, and operational efficiency.