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Current Events :
In a significant assertion of religious autonomy, the caretakers of Takht Sri Hazur Sahib have issued a gurmata (collective religious edict) rejecting the Maharashtra government’s proposal to repeal the Nanded Sikh Gurdwara Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Act, 1956 and replace it with a new law.
The decision followed a high-level congregation involving the Panj Pyare (the Guru’s five beloved ones), senior clergy and representatives of various Sikh religious bodies. After deliberations, a unanimous resolution was adopted, firmly calling for the retention of the original 1956 Act.
The gurmata, considered a binding, collective decision taken in the name of the Guru, was formally read out by Singh Sahib Giani Ram Singh in the presence of Takht Jathedar Giani Kulwant Singh.
According to a senior functionary associated with the Takht, said that it was an attempt to dilute the established traditions of the Takht.
The ‘gurmata’ says that the existing administrative framework of Hazur Sahib is rooted in principles laid down by Sikh scholars and guided by the vision of Guru Gobind Singh. The proposed legislation, they argue, risks undermining these foundations.
“There is a clear apprehension that the state’s fresh move is driven by vested interests and making interference in Takht affairs,” a former senior functionary observed, reflecting the sentiment prevailing within the shrine’s establishment.
The Maharashtra Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, recently approved a proposal to repeal the seven-decade-old Act and introduce a new law titled “Takht Sachkhand Sri Hazur Abchalnagar Sahib Gurdwara Act.”
The proposed legislation is slated to be tabled in the ongoing Vidhan Sabha session. Once passed, it will pave the way for a new administrative framework governing the gurdwara board, including revised rules for elections, management and by-laws.
The push for a fresh law is based on recommendations by a state-appointed committee, which has suggested structural changes in governance.
The move has triggered strong reactions across Sikh institutions, with major panthic bodies—including the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Akal Takht—voicing firm opposition against the government’s repeated attempts to amend the existing law to penetrate and establish its dominance.
The organisations have described the move as a direct intrusion into the religious autonomy of one of Sikhism’s five Takhts and have warned against any attempt to alter its maryada (religious code) or administrative independence.
Earlier, in February, 2024, the Maharashtra government made an amendment to enable direct nomination of 12 of 17 members of the board. Similarly, SGPC’s nomination was reduced and the Chief Khalsa Diwan and Hazuri Sachkhand Diwan, alongwith the membership of Sikh MPs was abolished. Following a massive protest by the SGPC and other local Sikh oraganisations then, the government was compelled to roll back the amendment. Similar attempts were made in 2018 and 2019 too, but were foiled.
ndia’s ambitions to produce a fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) have encountered a setback, after the F414 engine sought from US aerospace giant General Electric (GE) for the aircraft’s design and development turned out to be ‘too expensive’.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which is designing the aircraft, is now exploring alternative options for powering the under-development prototype.
Sources clarified that the requirement for engines to support the AMCA design and development is distinct from the ongoing commercial negotiations between GE and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to manufacture the same F414 engine in India under a joint venture. Technical discussions for the JV have been completed, while commercial talks are still underway and expected to take several months.
The GE-HAL joint venture covers procurement, technology transfer, licensed manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities, spares, warranties, and delivery schedules. The JV’s engines are intended to power the Tejas Mark 2 and the first variant of the AMCA, while a second variant is expected to use a more powerful engine being co-developed by Safran and HAL.
However, in the case of engines sought for AMCA’s design and development, GE has reportedly quoted a price nearly three times higher than earlier estimates. Initially projected at Rs 70–80 crore per unit, the revised cost is said to be almost triple. With the AMCA designed as a twin-engine aircraft, the cost of engines alone could reach $380–400 million (Rs 3,500–3,800 crore) per plane, raising concerns over both affordability and timelines for the flagship fighter programme.
The AMCA is central to the future combat readiness of the Indian Air Force. Last month, the Ministry of Defence invited three shortlisted consortiums to submit formal commercial and technical bids for manufacturing five prototypes of the aircraft. The bidders include Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), competing independently; a consortium led by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) with Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and Dynamatic Technologies Ltd; and another consortium comprising Bharat Forge, PSU BEML, and Data Patterns.
The winning partner will collaborate with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under DRDO to build five flying prototypes and one structural test aircraft. The shortlisted firms, selected based on their technical capabilities, will compete to build prototypes of the fighter aircraft. A few F414 engines from GE had been sought specifically for this design and development phase.
The government on Wednesday clarified that an Indian passport is primarily a travel document and should not be construed as proof of citizenship, a statement that triggered debate and drew political reactions.
According to media reports, officials of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) made the clarification while outlining developments in India’s passport and mobility ecosystem on the occasion of Passport Seva Divas.
The officials reportedly said that a passport attests to the nationality of an Indian citizen while travelling abroad but is not, in itself, a document of citizenship.
News reports quoted officials as saying that passports are issued only after extensive verification and due diligence involving multiple government agencies. However, they stressed that the document’s principal purpose is to facilitate international travel and establish identity overseas.
The clarification comes amid continuing public debate over what documents can be relied upon to establish citizenship. Several court rulings in recent years have held that documents such as Aadhaar cards, voter identity cards, PAN cards and other records are not, by themselves, conclusive proof of citizenship.
Another report noted that there is no single universally accepted citizenship document issued to all Indian citizens by birth. The report said citizenship claims are often determined through a combination of records and legal provisions under the Citizenship Act.
The MEA’s remarks also sparked political criticism. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray questioned the rationale behind the clarification, asking whether police verification conducted before passport issuance would lose significance if a passport was not regarded as proof of citizenship.
The government, however, maintained that the passport remains a secure and rigorously verified travel document. Officials highlighted the rollout of chip-based e-passports and ongoing efforts to modernise passport services across the country.
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Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Ropar, has secured two projects from the Army Technology Board (ATB) with a combined outlay of Rs 120 crore.
The projects, awarded under the 27th Army Technology Board cycle, focus on the development of autonomous armoured vehicles and directed energy weapons for the Indian Army.
The ATB, functioning under the Indian Army’s Military Operations Directorate, identifies emerging technological requirements and assigns critical research and development tasks to institutions capable of delivering advanced solutions.
IIT Ropar was selected for both projects owing to its expertise in robotics, autonomous systems, photonics and laser technologies.
IIT Ropar Director Rajeev Ahuja said autonomous armoured vehicle project aims to develop next-generation combat platforms capable of operating with minimal human intervention.
He further said the second project involves the development of directed energy weapons, which employ highly focused electromagnetic energy beams to neutralise threats.
Such systems are increasingly being viewed as a game-changing capability in modern warfare, particularly for anti-drone operations, missile defence and electronic warfare applications.
The Director said the award of the two projects reflected the confidence reposed by the Indian Army in the institute’s research ecosystem.
“These two ATB projects are a strong endorsement of the research ecosystem we have built at IIT Ropar. Our faculty and students have been working with rigour and purpose in the defence technology domain, and this recognition by the Indian Army validates that work,” he said.
Ahuja said the institute viewed the projects as a direct contribution to national security and would execute them with the urgency and discipline required for strategic defence programmes.
Apart from their military significance, the projects are expected to generate substantial economic activity in the region. IIT Ropar officials said the programs would involve collaboration with startups, MSMEs and industry partners for component development, manufacturing and testing.
Defence experts are of the view that large-scale technology programmes often create innovation ecosystems around research institutions, leading to the growth of specialised industries and skilled employment opportunities, he said.
The Indian Navy inducted three ships today (June 21) — one that can fight far out at sea, one that can map the sea, and one that can hunt submarines close to the coast. Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the commissioning of INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak, and INS Agray in Kolkata, adding to the steady inducting of new vessels into the Indian Navy since January 2025.
The three vessels — the Brahmos-armed stealth frigate INS Dunagiri, the deep-water survey vessel INS Sanshodhak, and the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) INS Agray — have been built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. According to the Ministry of Defence, the three together have more than 75 per cent indigenous content, and involve over 200 MSMEs.
ICGS Achal has officially arrived at its base port in Vadinar, Gujarat, marking a major boost to India’s maritime security in the strategically vital North-West Region. The vessel’s deployment strengthens coastal surveillance, rapid response capability, and the protection of national maritime interests.
The newly commissioned Fast Patrol Vessel Achal was welcomed at Vadinar with a special ceremony attended by senior Coast Guard officers, personnel, local administration officials, and dignitaries. Its arrival is being hailed as a milestone in reinforcing the maritime security framework of the region.
Achal was formally inducted into the Indian Coast Guard fleet in Goa on 9 May. The vessel, measuring 51 metres in length, is equipped with advanced navigation, communication, and surveillance systems. It has been designed for prolonged sea patrols, rapid response operations, and diverse maritime missions, combining speed, endurance, and operational flexibility.
The North-West Region, particularly Gujarat’s coastline, is of immense strategic importance due to its proximity to international maritime trade routes and the high volume of maritime activity in the Arabian Sea. Stationing Achal at Vadinar enhances India’s ability to monitor offshore infrastructure, shipping corridors, and sensitive maritime zones.
The vessel will play a vital role in safeguarding India’s maritime boundaries, preventing illegal infiltration, conducting anti-smuggling operations, enforcing maritime laws, and protecting fishermen at sea. It will also provide timely assistance to vessels in distress, strengthening the humanitarian role of the Coast Guard.
Equipped with modern sensors and surveillance technology, Achal will enable precise monitoring of maritime activities and immediate responses to threats or emergencies. Its advanced systems will enhance operational readiness and allow the Coast Guard to address emerging maritime challenges with greater efficiency.
The Indian Coast Guard has long been central to protecting the nation’s maritime frontiers, conducting search and rescue missions, controlling marine pollution, and providing humanitarian assistance. The induction of Achal further improves the speed, reach, and effectiveness of these operations.
Experts emphasise that Achal’s deployment reflects the Government of India’s continued emphasis on strengthening coastal and maritime security. In recent years, the Coast Guard fleet has expanded significantly, with investments in advanced surveillance systems and maritime infrastructure. Achal’s arrival underscores India’s long-term commitment to maritime defence and coastal vigilance.
Defence analysts note that the vessel’s presence at Vadinar is more than just an addition to the fleet. It represents a strategic reinforcement of India’s maritime security architecture in one of the most sensitive regions of the country. The ship is expected to contribute substantially to ensuring safety, stability, and national security in the North-West maritime domain.
Defence Strategy Analysis
New Delhi, June 24. India and the United Kingdom have held what officials described as “constructive and forward-looking” discussions aimed at deepening defence ties and charting a stronger framework for cooperation between their armies.
The 15th India-UK Executive Steering Group (ESG) meeting was held in the UK from June 17 to 19, according to the Indian Army.
As part of the engagement, the Indian delegation visited the UK Trials and Experimental Group, participated in discussions at the UK Ministry of Defence in London and toured MBDA’s facilities in Stevenage.
The talks focused on expanding multi-layered military cooperation through greater interoperability between the two armies, enhanced bilateral exercises and training activities, and exchanges of expertise in niche and emerging military technologies.
The two sides also explored new opportunities for collaboration in military training and discussed increasing engagement between defence think tanks to support long-term strategic cooperation.
According to a post the Indian Army’s X handle, the deliberations helped lay out a robust roadmap for strengthening defence cooperation and further reinforcing the longstanding partnership between the Indian Army and the British Army.
The discussions come against the backdrop of growing strategic convergence between New Delhi and London. Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India and the UK were well placed to build a future-oriented and mutually beneficial partnership, supported by the recently concluded comprehensive trade agreement and an expanding defence industrial roadmap.
Jaishankar made the remarks during his meeting with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper in New Delhi
