HAL-L&T’s First PSLV Slips to March 2027

India’s first industry-built PSLV, manufactured by HAL and L&T under a ₹860-crore contract, has been delayed again, with the maiden launch now expected in March 2027 instead of early 2026. This postponement marks another slip in ISRO’s push to privatize rocket production.

NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, signed a deal in 2022 with HAL and L&T for five PSLV‑XL rockets.

The PSLV rockets being built by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) mark India’s first fully industry-manufactured launch vehicles, under a ₹860‑crore contract awarded by NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) in 2022. This consortium is responsible for end‑to‑end production o f five PSLV‑XL units, shifting rocket manufacturing from ISRO to private industry.

It is to be noted however that the report of the PSLV postponement is currently limited to media reports, not ISRO’s press office. ISRO has issued several official press releases in August 2026, including a static test of an improved SSLV first stage (Aug 11), the India–U.S. Civil Space Joint Working Group meeting (Aug 5–6), and celebrations with NASA marking one year of the NISAR mission (Aug 4). None of these announcements mention the industry-built PSLV delay.

Key Details of the Delay

• Contract awarded in 2022: NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, handed the project to a consortium of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T).
• Scope of work: The consortium is tasked with building five PSLV-XL rockets, marking India’s first full industry-led rocket production effort.
• Original timeline: The first launch (PSLV-N1) was initially targeted for Q1 2026 after stacking began in December 2025.
• Current schedule: Launch now expected March 2027, creating a long gap between assembly and flight.

Why the Delay?

• No official reason disclosed: Neither NSIL, ISRO, HAL, nor L&T have publicly explained the latest postponement.
• Possible contributing factors:
  • Vehicle integration and testing challenges
  • Payload readiness delays
  • Range availability at Satish Dhawan Space Centre
  • Mission-level reviews and quality control

Strategic Importance

• Industrialization of PSLV: This project is a cornerstone of ISRO’s Indian Space Policy 2023, which formalized private-sector participation in launch vehicle manufacturing.
• Shift in ISRO’s focus: By outsourcing PSLV production, ISRO aims to free resources for advanced missions (crewed flights, next-gen rockets).
• Private sector ecosystem: The delay highlights the complexities of scaling private participation in India’s space sector, impacting investor confidence and commercial timelines.

PSLV-XL at a Glance

PSLV-XL	Details
Configuration	Four-stage rocket (solid + liquid alternation)
Strap-ons	Six extended solid boosters
Payload capacity	~1,750 kg to Sun-synchronous orbit
Legacy	Over 50 successful missions, ISRO’s workhorse launcher

Risks & Implications

• Commercial impact: Delays affect India’s competitiveness in the global launch market.
• Policy credibility: Slippage may slow momentum of private-sector integration.
• Operational bottlenecks: Extended timelines risk supply chain inefficiencies and cost escalations.

Vserve Unveils 2026 Supply Chain Visibility Gap Report to Drive Resilience

Vserve Solution, a global provider of business process and digital transformation solutions, today announced the release of its latest industry report, "Supply Chain Visibility Gap Report 2026."

The report explores growing challenges related to supply chain visibility. This combines industry research of the latest trends and experience of Vserve to assist manufacturers, retailers, distributors, and enterprise executives make decisions and become more resilient.

It occurs against the backdrop of a complex global supply chain environment. The increase in supply networks, rising customer expectations, geopolitical uncertainty risks, and the rapid digital transformation reshaping business operations. Despite the considerable investments in technology, the issue of data silos and lack of visibility persists.

"Today, the supply chains are producing more data than ever before. But data doesn’t equal visibility. What companies need is connected information to drive better decisions and better operational resilience. This is what we hope to contribute with this report by bringing in insights based on industry research," says Siva Balakrishnan, Spokesperson, Vserve eBusiness Solutions.

Using industry research as well as operational observations, the report analyzes the issues behind this challenge of lack of visibility and provides a set of actionable recommendations.

Some of the key observations from the report include:

• The supply chain visibility has emerged as a strategic business capability.
• Fragmented data continues to limit operational performance.
• AI delivers greater value when supported by connected, high quality data.
• Strong governance and integrated processes are essential for long term resilience.
• Case studies from IBM, Microsoft, and Walmart demonstrate how leading enterprises are improving visibility through AI, control towers, and inventory intelligence.

Developed for enterprise supply chain leaders, the report brings together insights from leading industry research and Vserve's experience supporting global supply chain operations. It is intended to help organizations better understand today's visibility challenges and identify practical approaches for building more connected and resilient supply chains.

The report, "Supply Chain Visibility Gap Report 2026: Operational Insights from Enterprise Supply Chain Environments," is now available on the Vserve eBusiness Solutions website.

IIM Calcutta Innovation Park and JSLPS Launch Jharkhand Incubator to Empower Rural Women Entrepreneurs

• Three-year initiative will identify and support high-potential women entrepreneurs across Jharkhand’s 24 districts and 264 blocks

IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP), in partnership with the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS), has commenced the on-ground implementation of the Jharkhand Incubator Programme following a state-level launch and orientation programme held in Ranchi.

Approved by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), Government of India, the programme is being implemented by IIMCIP with support from JSLPS. The initiative aims to accelerate grassroots economic transformation by strengthening entrepreneurship among rural women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) through a structured pathway that enables them to transition from livelihood-based activities to scalable enterprises.

The programme was launched in the presence of Smt. Dipika Pandey Singh, Hon’ble Minister for Rural Development, Government of Jharkhand, along with Shri. Manoj Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Department of Rural Development, Government of Jharkhand; Smt. Garima Singh, IAS, Managing Director, Jharcraft; Shri Ananya Mittal, IAS, Chief Executive Officer, Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society, with senior representatives from IIMCIP, JSLPS and the wider entrepreneurship and development ecosystem.

Commenting on the launch, Ajay Jain, Chairman, IIM Calcutta Innovation Park Board, said, "Women are building enterprises with ambition and resilience across rural India. Their success has the potential to transform not only household incomes but also trigger local economies. They are also the change agents of our society, breaking generational patterns and leading the way for future entrepreneurs. IIMCIP partnership with the Jharkhand Incubator Programme to equip eligible women entrepreneurs with the knowledge, skills and customized guidance is another step in our commitment to drive inclusive economic growth.”

Shri. Ananya Mittal, IAS, Chief Executive Officer, JSLPS said, "The Jharkhand Incubator Programme reflects our commitment to advancing rural entrepreneurship by combining JSLPS's deep community presence with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park's incubation expertise. Together, we aim to identify women entrepreneurs across the state and connect them with the right resources and opportunities to grow their enterprises. We also see this initiative as an opportunity to enhance the capacities of our field teams, creating a stronger ecosystem to support women entrepreneurs over the long term."

The two-day programme included expert-led discussions on enterprise development, innovation, digital inclusion and market access for rural women-led businesses. Sessions were led by experts from Atal Innovation Mission, Digital Empowerment Foundation and IIM Calcutta, covering topics such as AI-driven solutions for rural women entrepreneurs, branding, digital empowerment and innovation-led enterprise development.

An orientation session was also held for JSLPS district and block teams, briefing them on the programme delivery and their role in identifying women entrepreneurs. The session was attended by 118 participants, including District Programme Managers (DPMs), District Managers - Enterprise Promotion (DM-EPs), Block Programme Officers - Enterprise Promotion (BPO-EPs), and Young Professionals - Non-Farm Livelihood (YP-NFLs). It also included hands-on training on the programme application process to support effective implementation across the state.

During this three-year initiative, women entrepreneurs from Sakhi Mandals across Jharkhand’s 24 districts and 264 blocks will be assessed, with the top 500 selected for advanced training, mentoring, and incubation. The programme will also strengthen the capacity of JSLPS officials and community resource persons to mentor and guide rural women-led enterprises. 

From Left-right – 1. Name - Smt. Garima Singh, IAS, Managing Director, Jharcraft 2. Name - Shri. Manoj Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Department of Rural Development, Government of Jharkhand 3. Name - Smt. Dipika Pandey Singh, Hon’ble Minister for Rural Development, Government of Jharkhand 4. Name - Shri Ananya Mittal, IAS, Chief Executive Officer, Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society 5. Name - Shri. Himanshu Joshi, Program Director, Atal Innovation Mission

About IIM Calcutta Innovation Park

The IIM Calcutta Innovation Park (IIMCIP) is a not-for-profit (Section 8) company established under the aegis of the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta to promote entrepreneurship and innovation in India. Recognised by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, IIMCIP’s mission is to nurture innovative, socially impactful entrepreneurs who can drive inclusive growth.

Its core offerings span structured mentoring, capacity building, seed funding and access to markets and investors. To date, IIMCIP has supported over 2,000 startups and seed-funded 136 ventures, which have collectively raised more than ₹2,000 crore and built a cumulative portfolio valuation of nearly ₹8,000 crore.

IIMCIP also works closely with government bodies, corporates and academia to strengthen India’s innovation ecosystem, foster high-impact collaborations and promote women’s entrepreneurship, with a special focus on underserved regions of the country.

4baseCare Launches Targt Indiegene® V2, Bringing A Biology-First Approach to Comprehensive Cancer Profiling

• Five years after the launch of Indiegene V1, the next generation expands to 2,206 genes with most comprehensive coverage of Hallmarks of Cancer, HRD scoring and 36 HRR genes profiling, and 299 fusions, individualised Tumour Mutation Burden (iTMB) score with percentile scoring

4baseCare, a precision oncology company building genomic and clinical intelligence for diverse populations, today announced the launch of TARGT Indiegene® V2, the next generation of its comprehensive genomic profiling (CGP) test for cancer biomarker testing.

The journey began on 15 August 2021, when 4baseCare launched the first Indiegene developed from insights generated through Indian tumour genomics and with the ambition of making comprehensive cancer profiling more accessible. Five years of continuous innovation, clinical experience and genomic insights have now led to Indiegene V2.

With 2,206 genes, V2 significantly expands the genomic breadth of the original panel. More importantly, it introduces a different way of looking at cancer.

Cancer is more than a mutation. Tumours are driven by interconnected biological processes that influence growth, survival, DNA repair, immune evasion and progression. TARGT Indiegene® V2 brings this perspective into CGP through genomic coverage mapped across the Hallmarks of Cancer.

Key capabilities include:

• 2,206 genes for broad genomic profiling
• Hallmarks of Cancer-led coverage to understand the biology driving tumour behaviour
• Immunotherapy biomarkers like MSI and individualised Tumour Mutation Burden (iTMB) score with percentile scoring. 
• HRD scoring and comprehensive coverage of 36 HRR genes. 
• CNVs and 299 clinically relevant fusions, among the most extensive fusion coverage available in commercial CGP assays

“Indiegene V2 is not simply a larger gene panel. It represents a shift from looking for individual biomarkers to understanding the biology behind cancer. As we take Indiegene to more patients and clinicians across global markets, our ambition remains the same, which is to make comprehensive, meaningful precision oncology accessible across diverse populations.” said Hitesh Goswami, Co-founder & CEO, 4baseCare

“Developed through 4baseCare’s experience in population-relevant oncology and now being taken to global markets, TARGT Indiegene® V2 represents the next chapter in our vision to build globally relevant precision-oncology solutions for diverse and historically underrepresented populations”, Kshitij Rishi, Co-Founder and COO, 4baseCare

About 4baseCare

Backed by Infosys and Illumina, 4baseCare is a precision oncology company working to make personalised cancer care more accessible, inclusive and data-driven. The company combines advanced genomic testing, population-relevant clinico-genomic datasets, real-world evidence and AI-powered analytics to support more informed cancer-care decisions. Headquartered in Bengaluru, 4baseCare is expanding its precision oncology footprint across India and international markets with advanced genomics labs in Dubai, Nepal and Philippines. 4baseCare OncoTwin, an AI-based Oncology Digital Twin platform was recently selected for MSKCC iHub program.

India Tests Fast‑Charging Iron‑Air Battery at NTPC Simhadri to Boost 24×7 Renewable Power

A pilot project has been planned at NTPC Simhadri Thermal Power Station to evaluate an indigenous Iron-Air Battery technology for Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) applications. The project will be implemented by Atal Incubation Centre – Anna University (AIC-AU) at NTPC Simhadri through its technology partner, Meine Electric, with the objective of assessing the technology under utility operating conditions.

The pilot project will evaluate the technical performance, operational reliability and operational characteristics of the indigenous Iron-Air Battery system under real-world conditions. The study is expected to generate valuable operational data and insights into the suitability of the technology for long-duration energy storage applications, enabling reliable 24×7 clean energy, enhancing grid flexibility and supporting future applications that require enhanced operational flexibility.

Meine Electric is the first company in APAC and the third globally to pioneer Iron-Air Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES) technology. Its proprietary Fast Charge Long Discharge (FCLD) technology, which enables a six-hour charge and 18-hour discharge, has also been independently validated by Customized Energy Solutions (CES), the parent company of the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA). CES Battery Laboratory testing assessed the technology's electrochemical performance, capacity retention and operational stability under a 6-hour charging and 18-hour discharging cycle, providing third-party validation as Meine Electric advances towards larger-scale demonstrations and commercial deployment.

As India continues to expand its renewable energy capacity, long-duration energy storage is expected to play an increasingly important role in improving grid reliability, managing renewable energy variability and supporting a more flexible and resilient power system. The pilot project is expected to contribute towards the development and evaluation of indigenous energy storage technologies while generating valuable learnings for future applications.

Through the AIC-Anna University initiative, Meine Electric will be responsible for the development, system integration and performance monitoring of the Iron-Air Battery system. The operational data and technical insights generated during the pilot will provide an important benchmark for further technology development and future commercial-scale deployment.

Speaking on the collaboration, Mr. Priyansh Mohan, Co-Founder & CEO, Meine Electric, said "We are honoured that our indigenous Iron-Air Battery technology has been selected for implementation under this pilot project planned at NTPC Simhadri Thermal Power Station. The project provides an important opportunity to demonstrate the technology under utility operating conditions and generate valuable performance data that will help accelerate the development of cost-effective long-duration energy storage solutions for India's evolving power system."

Speaking on the partnership, Shri Kishore Kumar.S, CEO, AIC - Anna Incubator, said, "Our mission is to catalyze high-impact innovations that solve critical national challenges. Supporting Meine Electric in deploying India's indigenous Iron-Air Battery technology at NTPC Simhadri is a major step toward achieving scalable, long-duration energy storage. This collaboration highlights how academia, startups, and public sector leaders can work together to strengthen India's clean energy ecosystem and accelerate our transition to a resilient, sustainable grid."

The initiative reflects the growing emphasis on indigenous innovation, advanced energy storage technologies and collaborative research aimed at supporting India's clean energy transition and strengthening long-term energy security.

About Meine Electric

Meine Electric is an Indian deep-tech startup pioneering the world’s first fast-charging Iron-Air battery for Long-Duration Energy Storage (LDES). By shrinking traditional charge times from 100 hours to just 6 hours, paired with an 18-hour discharge, the company utilizes a proprietary, low-cost "reversible rusting" chemistry to provide reliable & affordable 24/7 baseload power. Engineered specifically for the daily-cycling demands of modern power grids, Meine Electric's systems enable renewable firming and thermal asset flexibilization at a fraction of the cost of alternative storage technologies. As a first-mover in the high-growth APAC and MEA markets, the company is now working towards partnering with utilities and heavy industries to build the critical infrastructure required for a secure global energy transition. Backed by leading investors and institutional partners, Meine Electric is pioneering India-built, practical engineering to drive the shift to a future of limitless renewable energy. Meine Electric has won several industry awards, including The National Startup Award 2026, Nasscom Emerge 50 Award, besides others.

Vision: Limitless renewable energy.

Mission: Make iron-air batteries the backbone of long-duration storage and lead globally in this category.

Long-term goal: Enable $1B in revenue by 2032 through grid-scale Iron-Air Battery deployments.
About AIC – Anna Incubator

AIC-AU Incubation Foundation (AIC- Anna Incubator) is a Section 8 non-profit organization established under the Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, and hosted by Anna University, Chennai. Positioned as one of South India's leading startup ecosystems, Anna Incubator nurtures deep-tech and high-impact startups across sectors such as Clean & Sustainability Tech, Electric Mobility, Health Sciences, AI, and Advanced Manufacturing. To date, the incubator has supported over 91 startups, generated 1,100+ jobs, facilitated 125+ patent filings, and built a portfolio valuation exceeding ₹1,500 Crore. Leveraging a strong network of corporate, government, and investment partners, Anna Incubator translates academic research into market-ready technologies that support India's strategic growth goals.