Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday virtually inaugurated Skyroot Aerospace’s new Infinity Campus in Hyderabad and unveiled Vikram-I, the country’s first privately developed orbital rocket. He called the achievement a defining moment for India’s growing private space ecosystem and a symbol of the nation’s credibility, innovation and ambition.

PM calls Vikram-I launch a milestone in India’s private space journey

PM Modi congratulated Skyroot founders Pawan Chandana and Bharath Daka, noting that India had grown from experimenting with basic resources to developing launch vehicles capable of meeting global demand. He said India’s progress was driven not by the availability of resources but by determination and reform.

The Prime Minister highlighted that the opening of the space sector, the creation of IN-SPACe, and facilitation through ISRO had enabled a “private space revolution”, with more than 300 new space startups emerging in recent years.

India eyes global demand for small satellite launches

With rising international demand for small satellites and higher launch frequencies, PM Modi said India had a major opportunity to expand its presence in the commercial launch market. He emphasised that global firms were seeking to manufacture satellites in India and collaborate on technology and launch services.

The Prime Minister linked this momentum with India’s overall startup boom across fintech, agritech, health-tech, climate-tech and defence sectors, noting that India now hosts 1.5 lakh registered startups, including several unicorns.

Skyroot’s Infinity Campus to build one rocket every month

The newly inaugurated Infinity Campus covers 200,000 sq ft and is designed to manufacture one rocket every month. Vikram-I marks Skyroot’s transition from sub-orbital missions to full-scale commercial orbital launches. The company had earlier made history by becoming the first private Indian firm to launch a rocket — Vikram-S — in 2022.

PM Modi expressed confidence that India’s young innovators would shape the future of the global space economy, saying the coming years would belong to Indian scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs.

In a major political development ahead of next year’s Assembly elections, the Assam Cabinet has approved the Group of Ministers (GoM) report recommending Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for six prominent communities of the state — Tai Ahom, Chutia, Moran, Motok, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea Tribes (Adivasis).

Cabinet gives nod to long-pending proposal

The meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at Lok Sewa Bhawan, cleared the report amid ongoing protests by these communities demanding recognition. If the Centre approves the recommendation, Assam will be officially categorised as a tribal state.

The GoM was headed by Education Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu, with Ministers Pijush Hazarika and Keshab Mahanta as members. The Cabinet decision advances the process significantly, with the report now scheduled to be tabled in the Assam Legislative Assembly before being forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Chief Minister Sarma stated that the report reflects the aspirations of the people and confirmed that the Tribal Affairs Department will forward it to the Assembly. Once accepted by the Speaker, it will be tabled during the ongoing session.

Land cleared for textile heritage museum

The Cabinet also approved the transfer and modification of three bighas of land from the Government Muga Farm at Reshom Nagar, Khanapara, to the Cultural Affairs Department.

The land will house a state-of-the-art museum dedicated to Assam’s textile legacy. The museum, supported by JSW I&P Holdings Pvt. Ltd., will showcase the historic Vrindavani Vastra, which is being brought on loan from the British Museum in London.

In the midst of an ongoing tussle over the chief minister’s chair in Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president DK Shivakumar has delivered a pointed reminder about the importance of keeping one’s word — a remark widely interpreted as a signal to the party high command.

Shivakumar stresses value of commitment

Speaking at an event, Shivakumar said that “word power is world power”, emphasising that honouring commitments is among the “biggest powers” anyone can exercise. His comments come at a moment when debates over a possible rotational chief ministership are intensifying.

While addressing supporters, he also made a lighthearted but sharp remark involving the symbolic “chair”, saying those standing behind him “don’t know the value of a chair”, prompting laughter at the venue.

Leadership tussle resurfaces

Shivakumar and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah have been locked in a prolonged leadership contention since the Congress victory in 2023. Shivakumar’s camp insists the party had agreed to a two-and-a-half-year rotational arrangement — a claim Siddaramaiah’s side denies.

Over the past two weeks, MLAs from Shivakumar’s faction have been making multiple visits to Delhi, fuelling speculation that a leadership change may be imminent. According to information accessed by media, December 1 is being viewed as a possible deadline for any power transition.

High command to take final call

Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge has said the leadership is working to resolve the standoff. He noted that he, along with Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, will decide on the matter.

Siddaramaiah has publicly reiterated that the decision must come from the high command. Shivakumar, too, has stated that he has not demanded the top post and does not want to embarrass the party, saying leadership matters involve “five or six” senior figures.