The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, the Centre and States' joint decision-making body, has announced a significant change in energy tax rates. Starting September 22, 2025, the GST on renewable energy components such as solar panels, cookers, lamps, windmills, biogas plants, waste-to-energy systems, and tidal or wave energy devices will be cut from 12% to 5%. In contrast, the GST on coal and lignite will rise dramatically, from 5% to 18%. Officials said the decision is intended to make renewable energy more competitive, lower project costs, and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The Cen
India has reached a landmark in its semiconductor journey with the introduction of the country’s first fully indigenous 32-bit microprocessor, called ‘Vikram.’ ISRO's Semiconductor Laboratory (SCL) created the processor, which was formally presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Union Minister for Electronics and IT Ashwini Vaishnaw at the beginning of the 'Semicon India 2025' event. The Vikram chip has been specifically built to withstand the severe conditions of space launch vehicles, increasing India's space capabilities while also reducing dependency on foreign-made chips. T
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India will secure a major role in the global semiconductor industry, which is expected to exceed one trillion dollars in the coming years. Addressing the third edition of 'Semicon India 2025', he announced that 10 semiconductor projects totalling more than eighteen billion dollars, or more than Rs 1.5 lakh crore, are now underway across the country. The Prime Minister remarked that the global semiconductor market has already crossed $600 billion, and India's growing presence would ensure that it secures a large piece of this expanding sector. During
Namibia has been invited to access $250 million in funding for green hydrogen projects, a significant step towards the country's renewable energy transition. The Namibian Government made the statement in partnership with the global investment firm Ninety One. The investment aims to encourage large-scale commercial enterprises that are consistent with the country's decarbonisation agenda and its broader vision of green industrialisation. The finance is planned to be reinforced further by matching contributions from global development banks and other financial institutions. The program is pa
Abu Dhabi has unveiled a new AI-powered traffic control system designed to reduce congestion and enhance road efficiency. The Integrated Transport Centre (ITC), a part of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, has verified the launch of Ramp Metering, a smart traffic light system, at seven major entry points to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Street. With this step, the emirate joins a small group of cities globally that use AI-based technologies to regulate vehicle flow. The system operates using advanced sensors and AI-enabled cameras to monitor traffic in real time. Signal timings are
India has released an ambitious space project strategy, outlining plans to establish a crewed station on the Moon, 3D-printed dwellings on Mars, and conduct deep-space exploration over the next four decades. The blueprint, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) following statewide consultations, was presented last week during National Space Day celebrations. According to the roadmap, ISRO plans to create a lunar base by 2047, complete with resource mining facilities, crew-operated terrain vehicles, and refuelling depots for interplanetary travel. A human landing o
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that India and Japan will collaborate on the Chandrayaan-5 mission as part of the Lunar Polar Exploration (LUPEX) program, ushering in a new era of space cooperation between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The mission aims to explore the Moon's south pole in search of hidden resources, particularly water ice, which could be vital in future space exploration. PM Modi stated at a joint press briefing with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba that the partnership demonstrates how India
India is advancing its lunar exploration program with a clear roadmap that includes Chandrayaan-6, 7, and 8, as part of its preparations for a human mission to the Moon by 2040. The plans were unveiled at the National Space Day gathering, where ISRO officials laid out the mission sequence that will gradually establish the technology and infrastructure needed for a crewed lunar landing. The government has already approved Chandrayaan-4 and Chandrayaan-5, which will mark significant milestones in India's space journey. Chandrayaan-4 is designed as a sample return mission, bringing lunar rock
Dubai International Airport has introduced an AI-powered immigration corridor that allows passengers to clear in 14 seconds without presenting passports or IDs. This pioneering project is a key step towards the future of air travel and strengthens Dubai's position as a global aviation hub. The corridor uses advanced artificial intelligence to authenticate travellers’ identities in real time. Passengers walk through a dedicated lane, where pre-screened data is instantly matched, allowing for seamless entry. The system can process up to ten persons simultaneously, doubling efficiency while
At the National Space Day celebrations in New Delhi, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) head V. Narayanan announced that India will launch the Chandrayaan-4 mission with the Venus Orbiter Mission. He added that India aims to establish the Bharatiya Antriksh Station (BAS) operational by 2035, with the first module scheduled to launch in 2028. Narayanan stated that by 2040, India is determined to land on the Moon and safely bring back its crew, positioning the Indian space program on par with the most advanced in the world. He revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved th