C.P. Radhakrishnan Sworn in as India's New Vice President
Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan officially took oath as the new Vice President of India on Friday, September 12, 2025. The ceremony was administered by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. Radhakrishnan won the Vice Presidential election with 452 votes against the Opposition's candidate, who secured 300 votes. Invitations to the swearing-in ceremony were extended to senior leaders, including Leaders of Opposition from both Houses of Parliament. Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was also expected to attend.
Indian Navy to Commission INS Aravali in Gurugram
In a move to bolster India's maritime security, the Indian Navy is scheduled to commission INS Aravali in Gurugram today, September 12, 2025. Named after the Aravalli mountain range, this new base is designed to fortify the Navy's information and communication infrastructure. It will play a crucial role in supporting multiple information and communication centers vital for India's command, control, and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) framework, which is essential for safeguarding national maritime interests. The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi.
India's Space Economy Projected for Five-Fold Growth by 2033
India is on track to achieve a significant milestone in its space sector, projecting a five-fold growth in its space economy to reach $44 billion by 2033. This ambitious projection underscores India's growing capabilities and aspirations in the global space industry. Furthermore, India is set to implement a large-scale initiative, aiming to install 50 lakh rooftop solar systems across the country under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
Concerns Over Indians Duped into Ukraine-Russia War Zone
Reports have emerged detailing a distressing situation where at least 15 Indian nationals were allegedly duped by an agent and forced to serve on the Russian side in the Ukraine-Russia war zone. Two individuals who spoke to The Hindu claimed they were hired as construction workers but ended up in the battlefield. They stated that they, along with at least 13 other Indians, went to Moscow on student or visitor visas in the past six months and are currently lodged in Selydove, Ukraine.
India-Mauritius Partnership Strengthened by Cultural Bonds
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized the robust partnership between India and Mauritius, highlighting its deep roots in cultural, civilizational, and ethnic bonds. Misri stated that both nations are actively collaborating to address common challenges such as maritime security, piracy, and drug trafficking in the strategically important maritime neighborhood. Mauritius is considered an integral part of India's 'Neighbourhood First Policy' and 'Vision MAHASAGAR', showcasing a relationship underpinned by close people-to-people ties and growing economic, financial, and developmental cooperation.
Indigenous Malaria Vaccine and Progress on US Trade Deal
In a significant development for public health, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has invited industry partners to commercialize AdFalciVax, India's first indigenous multi-stage malaria vaccine. This vaccine targets the Plasmodium falciparum protozoan parasite and aims to prevent human infection and block transmission within mosquito vectors. On the economic front, the US ambassador-designate suggested that India and the United States are "not that far apart" on reaching a trade deal, indicating positive progress in bilateral economic relations.