India Opens Heavy‑Lift Rocket LVM3 to Private Sector for First Time

IN-SPACe has officially opened an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the transfer of ISRO’s heavy-lift rocket LVM3 (“Baahubali”) to private Indian companies, marking a historic step in India’s space sector liberalisation. The selected entity will gain full technology transfer, with ISRO handholding for up to 42 months or until two successful launches.

With this EOI, IN-SPACe opens India’s largest rocket for private contracts, including global satellite launches.

Moreover, it also marks the first time India’s heavy-lift rocket is being offered for private sector end-to-end realisation.

This development follows the PSLV transfer last month, signalling India’s move to let private industry handle operational Launches while ISRO to focus on advanced R&D, Gaganyaan, and interplanetary missions.

Key Highlights of the LVM3 EOI

• Technology Transfer: End-to-end realisation, operation, manufacturing, and commercialisation of LVM3.
• ISRO Support: Infrastructure access, mentorship, and engineering guidance for 42 months or until two launches.
• Eligibility Criteria:
  • Minimum 7+ years operational history
  • 5+ years in space/aerospace experience
  • Financial strength: ₹800 Cr+ average turnover OR ₹2000 Cr+ valuation
• Deadline: June 29, 2026
• Payload Capability: 4,000 kg to GTO and 8,000 kg to LEO
• Strategic Context: Follows PSLV transfer last month; frees ISRO to focus on advanced R&D, Gaganyaan, and interplanetary missions.

Why This Matters

Factor	Impact
Private Sector Role	Moves Indian firms from component suppliers to full-fledged launch service operators.
Global Space Economy	Positions India to scale launch frequencies and compete with SpaceX, Arianespace, etc.
Domestic Capability	Reduces reliance on ISRO for operational launches; strengthens sovereign manufacturing.
Commercialisation	Opens India’s heaviest rocket for private contracts, including satellite launches for global clients.

Risks & Challenges

• Late Entry: Industry experts note India is entering private heavy-lift commercialisation later than global peers.
• Absorption Complexity: LVM3 is a complex system; private firms must quickly build expertise.
• Capital Intensive: High investment required; only large aerospace players or consortia may qualify.
• Global Competition: Competing against established launch providers with proven track records.

Context for India

• LVM3 Missions: Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and Gaganyaan test flights.
• Strategic Goal: Scale India’s launch frequency and reduce bottlenecks at ISRO.
• Private Sector Push: Comes after PSLV transfer, signalling a broader shift to industry-led operations.

Gates Foundation Backs Bengaluru's Remidio’s AI Retinal Platform to Tackle Maternal Health Risks in Africa & India

Remidio Innovative Solutions has received a grant from the Gates Foundation to advance its Oculomics platform, which uses retinal imaging and AI to detect signs of systemic disease, for maternal health applications in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The initiative will focus on improving early risk assessment for major pregnancy complications, including pre-eclampsia (PE), anemia and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). The program will be carried out across countries in Africa and India, regions that together bear the overwhelming share of the global maternal and perinatal disease burden


The scale of the problem is stark. There are approximately 2 million stillbirths worldwide each year, equivalent to one every 16 seconds, and 84% of these occur in LMICs. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, particularly pre-eclampsia, are among the leading placental causes of these deaths. The same conditions are also among the leading causes of maternal mortality globally, contributing to an estimated 42,000 maternal deaths annually. Gestational diabetes mellitus affects approximately one in six pregnancies worldwide, with a disproportionately high burden falling on these same populations. Together, these conditions are major contributors to stillbirth, preterm birth, and long-term cardiovascular and metabolic complications that affect both mothers and their children.

The women most at risk from pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes are often the least likely to reach a laboratory or a specialist in time," said Dr. Anand Sivaraman, Chief Executive Officer and Founding Director, Remidio. "A retinal image takes seconds and can be captured by a frontline worker with minimal training. This grant allows us to ask a clear question with real rigour: can the platform already deployed widely for diabetic retinopathy also help identify pregnancies at risk, in the places where that information is needed most.

The biological link between retinal microvascular changes and systemic vascular and metabolic disease is now well established. Yet in the primary care and community settings where maternal mortality is concentrated, the diagnostic tools that currently support early risk stratification, namely complex laboratory assays, biochemical biomarkers and Doppler-based assessments, are largely unavailable at the point of care, requiring laboratory infrastructure, trained personnel and referral pathways that simply do not exist for most pregnant women in LMICs. Non-invasive retinal imaging, by contrast, is quick, easy to perform by frontline health workers with minimal training, and inherently scalable, making it uniquely suited to bringing advanced risk assessment to the front lines of antenatal care.

The retina is the only place in the body where blood vessels can be observed directly and without an invasive procedure, said Dr. Divya Rao, Chief Medical Officer and Head of AI, Remidio. The microvascular and metabolic changes associated with pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes leave detectable signatures. Having built and validated our retinal AI on a very large and diverse image dataset, our task now is to prove these signals hold up in community antenatal care, in the hands of frontline workers, across different populations. Evidence, not assumption, will decide where this proves useful.

Remidio's portable, smartphone-based retinal imaging platform is already widely deployed across primary care and community screening programs for diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and AMD. The grant will extend this platform into maternal health, with implementation across partner sites in Africa and India.

About Remidio -

Today, the human eye is unlocking early insights into systemic health, and Remidio is at the forefront of this transformation. Remidio is a pioneer in AI-driven eye care, leading the shift from care of the eye to healthcare through the eye. As the first company to receive CDSCO approval in India for our adaptive ophthalmic AI, in addition to CE marking in Europe under Class II EU-MDR, we are redefining how diseases like diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and AMD are detected early, in close to patient contexts, while remaining confident of extending this to systemic disease detection such as CVD, CKD and liver diseases, in the future.

With CE-marked, FDA 510(k)-registered devices, our solutions have screened 16 million+ patients across 55 countries, integrating teleophthalmology and AI for fast, accurate diagnoses. Our innovative retinal imaging solutions ensure precision and efficiency in clinical workflows. Our journey began humbly - thanks to the chance meeting of our founder, with a mission driven ophthalmologist, who brought into focus the need for decentralizing eye testing with simple to use and affordable devices. That conversation, 15 years back, sparked a vision to make high-quality preventive care accessible to all. Guided by innovation, empathy, and a commitment to global impact, our journey is just beginning!

Dixon and Taiwan's Gemtek to Manufacture Optical Modules in India

Dixon Technologies has signed a binding term sheet with Taiwan’s Gemtek Technology to form a joint venture in India, focused on manufacturing Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) optical transceivers, Bidirectional Optical Subassembly (BOSA) modules, and other telecom gear. Dixon will hold a 60% stake, while Gemtek will own 40%. This marks Dixon’s official entry into India’s fast-growing data centre and optical connectivity ecosystem.

Gemtek Technology Co., Ltd. is a Taiwan‑based communications equipment company, founded in 1988, specializing in broadband, wireless networking, and optical connectivity solutions. It is publicly listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSEC: 4906) and employs around 5,000 people.

Gemtek is positioning itself as a key player in next‑generation broadband and AI‑ready optical connectivity, with innovations in Wi‑Fi 8, DOCSIS 4.0, and 400G–1.6T optical transceivers. Its partnership with Dixon in India reflects a broader strategy to expand into data centre and telecom infrastructure markets, aligning with global demand for AI‑driven networking.

Dixon Technologies & Gemtek JV in India

Key Details of the JV

• Stake split: Dixon Electroconnect – 60%; Gemtek – 40%
• Products: SFP optical transceivers, BOSA modules, telecom/data centre equipment
• Government support: Dixon Electroconnect is a beneficiary under India’s Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS)
• Strategic focus: Data centres, telecom infrastructure, optical connectivity, cloud computing, edge computing, AI networking
• Market impact: Dixon’s shares rose ~2% to ₹11,616 on June 9, 2026

Why This Matters

Aspect	Details
India’s optical ecosystem	Strengthens domestic manufacturing of optical transceivers and modules, reducing reliance on imports
Data centre boom	Supports India’s growing demand for high-speed networking driven by AI, cloud, and edge computing
Global footprint	Gemtek expands into India, while Dixon diversifies beyond consumer electronics into telecom infrastructure
Policy alignment	Fits into India’s push for electronics self-reliance under ECMS and broader semiconductor/telecom initiatives

Strategic Implications

• For Dixon: Diversification into optical networking gear, positioning itself in India’s telecom and data centre supply chain
• For Gemtek: Strengthens global presence and builds a competitive supply chain in India
• For India: Boosts local manufacturing capacity in advanced optical communication, aligning with national digital infrastructure goals

Risks & Challenges

• Regulatory approvals: JV subject to definitive agreements and government clearances
• Technology transfer: Success depends on effective integration of Gemtek’s optical expertise with Dixon’s manufacturing scale
• Market competition: Global players like Huawei, Cisco, and Finisar already dominate optical networking gear

This JV signals India’s deeper integration into the global optical communication supply chain. With AI-driven data centre demand surging, Dixon-Gemtek could become a pivotal supplier for both domestic and international markets.

Dixon Technologies’ Recent Joint Ventures

Key JVs in 2026

• Gemtek JV (June 2026): Focus on SFP optical transceivers, BOSA modules, and telecom/data centre equipment. Stake split: Dixon Electroconnect 60%, Gemtek 40%.
• Longcheer JV (February 2026): Partnership with Longcheer Intelligence (Singapore) and Dixtel Infocom. Stake split: Dixon 74%, Longcheer 26%. Focus on smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, AI PCs, automotive electronics, and healthcare devices.

Strategic Themes Across JVs

JV Partner	Sector	Focus Areas	Dixon Stake
Gemtek	Telecom & Optical	Optical transceivers, BOSA modules, data centre gear	60%
Longcheer	Smart Devices	Smartphones, tablets, wearables, AI PCs, automotive electronics	74%

Dixon is expanding beyond consumer electronics into telecom infrastructure and AI-enabled devices. Both JVs leverage India’s Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) and self-reliance initiatives. Partnerships with Gemtek (Taiwan) and Longcheer (Singapore) strengthen Dixon’s footprint in Asia’s tech ecosystem.

India Bets on Nuclear Power to Fuel AI Data Centers

India is turning to nuclear energy to meet the surging power demand from AI-driven data centers, with a new Nuclear Energy Mission targeting 100 GW capacity by 2047. This move aims to ensure energy security, reduce fossil fuel dependence, and sustain hyperscale growth.

Why Nuclear Energy for Data Centers?

• AI workloads: A single AI server rack consumes 5–6 times more power than a conventional rack.
• Data center growth: India hosts <5% of global data centers despite accounting for 20% of global data consumption.
• Energy demand forecast: Capacity is expected to rise from <2 GW in 2025 to 8–15 GW by 2030.
• Policy push: The Nuclear Energy Mission aligns with India’s net-zero 2070 target and aims for 100 GW nuclear power by 2047.

Key Players Driving the Shift

• Reliance Industries: ₹1.6 lakh crore investment in a 1.5 GW AI cluster in Visakhapatnam.
• Google: $15B investment in a 1 GW hyperscale hub.
• Adani Group: $100B pan-India AI-ready infrastructure plan.
• Tata Group: Expanding with global partners like AWS and OpenAI.

Comparison: Energy Options for Data Centers

Energy Source	Reliability	Scalability	Carbon Impact	Suitability for AI
Nuclear	High	Very High	Low	Strong (stable baseload)
Solar	Medium (daylight dependent)	High	Very Low	Limited (needs storage)
Wind	Medium (seasonal)	Medium	Very Low	Moderate
Coal	High	High	Very High	Strong but unsustainable

Strategic Implications

• Energy Security: Nuclear reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels.
• Geopolitical Stability: Provides a resilient backbone for AI infrastructure amid global supply chain risks.
• Sustainability: Complements solar and wind to meet net-zero 2070 goals.
• Global Positioning: Positions India as a potential AI infrastructure hub, competing with Singapore, UAE, and US.

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

In late 2022, Union minister Dr Jitendra Singh has unveiled that India is taking steps for development of Small Modular Reactors (SMR), with up to 300 MW capacity to fulfill its commitment to Clean Energy transition.

SMRs are increasingly seen as a strategic solution to power India’s fast‑growing data center sector, offering clean, reliable baseload electricity that can sustain AI workloads and hyperscale operations. Experts highlight their role in ensuring energy security, resilience, and uninterrupted supply for mission‑critical infrastructure.

SMRs can directly power hyperscale clusters in Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, and Mumbai. Unlike solar or wind, SMRs provide continuous electricity, crucial for AI clusters that cannot tolerate downtime.

Risks & Challenges of Nuclear Power in Data Centre 

• Execution risk: Scaling nuclear capacity from current levels to 100 GW by 2047 is ambitious.
• Cooling & water demand: AI data centers could drive water usage to 1,068 billion liters annually by 2028.
• Regulatory hurdles: Streamlined approvals across states are critical.
• Public perception: Nuclear projects often face opposition due to safety concerns.

India–Nepal Go Digital: UPI–NPI Link Brings Real‑Time, Low‑Cost Money Transfers Across Borders

• UPI-NPI linkage to enable to person-to-person (P2P) transfers between India and Nepal

NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL), the international arm of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), in collaboration with Nepal Clearing House Ltd. (NCHL), the primary payments facilitator in Nepal, is pleased to announce the launch of payment linkage between India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Nepal’s National Payments Interface (NPI) platforms. This partnership enables real-time, low-cost, and secure cross-border remittances between India and Nepal, allowing Indian and Nepalese users in India and Indian users in Nepal to make seamless person-to-person (P2P) transfers.

Now live through select banks, the service will soon be expanded to additional banks, further enhancing accessibility across a wide range of financial institutions.

The UPI-NPI linkage represents a major advancement in financial inclusion, fostering stronger economic and digital ties between India and Nepal. This project aligns with the G20's goals for accessible and affordable cross-border payments, facilitating a direct connection between the fast-payment systems of both countries, thereby reinforcing the longstanding social, cultural, and economic bonds shared by India and Nepal.

Indian and Nepalese users can now send money to Nepal using the receivers’ mobile numbers or virtual payment addresses (VPAs), while Indian users can transfer funds to India from Nepal using UPI IDs. This process removes the need to share sensitive bank account information, offering a simplified, secure, and convenient experience for users on both sides of the border.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Ritesh Shukla, MD & CEO, NPCI International, said –

We are pleased to launch cross-border remittance link between India and Nepal in partnership with NCHL. This initiative emphasises our commitment to innovation that meet the evolving needs of global communities. By creating a real-time, affordable, and secure corridor for cross-border remittances, we are not only simplifying the remittance process for families in both nations but also promoting financial inclusion.

Through this innovative service, the UPI-NPI linkage ensures that transactions occur in real time, providing critical support to millions of families who depend on timely remittances. By significantly reducing the costs associated with traditional cross-border remittance methods, the new linkage offers a cost-effective, transparent solution to individuals and families sending funds across borders.

Mr. Neelesh Man Singh Pradhan, Chief Executive Officer, NCHL, said –

The successful launch of this linkage between Nepal and India is a testament to our close collaboration and commitment for making cross border fund transfer seamless, real-time and convenient. As we embark together on a digital payments journey, we look forward to add more services and ensure inclusion for the millions of people and businesses at both the sides.

The collaboration between NPCI International and NCHL not only strengthens the India-Nepal economic corridor but also marks a significant shift towards digital payment solutions. By enabling secure, transparent, and traceable transactions, this initiative supports the resilience of the financial ecosystems in both countries, setting a precedent for future cross-border digital payment collaborations. Through this project, India and Nepal are creating a powerful model for interoperable, real-time payment systems that other geographies can emulate.