Apple Explores Semiconductor Assembly in India Amid China Tariff Pressures

Apple is in early talks with Indian semiconductor firms to begin assembling and packaging iPhone chips locally—a first for the company in India, reported The Economic citing sources familiar with Apple’s preliminary discussions with Indian chipmakers like CG Semi.

This move signals a deeper commitment to India’s role in Apple’s global supply chain and could reshape the country’s semiconductor ecosystem.

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Key Developments

• First-time chip packaging in India: Apple has historically limited India’s role to iPhone assembly, but now it’s exploring chip-related processes such as assembly and packaging.
• Partners under consideration: Apple has reportedly held discussions with CG Semi, part of the Murugappa Group, which is building an outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) facility in Sanand, Gujarat.
• Focus on display-related chips: Early reports suggest the chips considered for packaging in India may be display driver integrated circuits (DDICs), currently sourced from suppliers in South Korea, Taiwan, and China.
• Strategic timing: Apple is accelerating its India plans to offset higher tariffs in China and diversify supply chains amid geopolitical tensions.
• Jobs and ecosystem impact: India already supports ~350,000 direct and indirect jobs through Apple’s device assembly. Chip packaging could significantly expand this footprint.

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Strategic Implications

• For India:
  • Boosts India’s semiconductor ambitions, aligning with government initiatives like “Make in India” and the semiconductor incentive program.
  • Positions India as more than just a device assembly hub—moving up the value chain into chip packaging and testing.
• For Apple:
  • Reduces reliance on China, where tariffs and supply chain risks are rising.
  • Strengthens Apple’s ability to meet U.S. and global demand with diversified production bases.
  • Ensures resilience by tapping into India’s growing manufacturing infrastructure.

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Challenges & Risks

• Quality standards: Apple’s chips must meet stringent reliability benchmarks. CG Semi and other Indian firms will need to prove they can match global suppliers.
• Technology transfer: Chip packaging is complex, requiring advanced equipment and skilled labor. India’s ecosystem is still developing.
• Timeline uncertainty: While Apple aims to shift all iPhone manufacturing for the U.S. market to India by 2026, chip packaging discussions remain exploratory.

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Bottom Line

Apple’s exploration of chip assembly in India marks a strategic leap beyond device assembly, potentially transforming India into a semiconductor packaging hub. If realized, this would not only diversify Apple’s supply chain but also accelerate India’s climb up the global tech manufacturing ladder.

India Tests Missile at 8× Speed of Sound

India has successfully tested a new hypersonic missile, the ET-LDHCM, which can fly at Mach 8 (eight times the speed of sound) and strike targets up to 1,500 km away.

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Key Details About the Missile

• Name: Extended Trajectory Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile (ET-LDHCM).
• Speed: Mach 8 (approx. 9,800 km/h).
• Range: 1,500 km, far surpassing the BrahMos missile’s range of ~450 km.
• Developer: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Project: Developed under Project Vishnu, India’s advanced missile modernization program.
• Purpose: Designed to enhance India’s long-range strike capability and strengthen deterrence posture.

ET-LDHCM

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Strategic Context

• The test comes amid rising global tensions, including conflicts in the Middle East and worsening India–Pakistan relations.
• India is accelerating defense modernization, upgrading systems like BrahMos, Agni-5, and Akash alongside this hypersonic program.
• Hypersonic weapons are considered game-changers because they combine extreme speed with maneuverability, making them difficult to intercept with current missile defense systems.

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Risks & Challenges

• Global Arms Race: Hypersonic weapons are being pursued by major powers (US, Russia, China). India’s entry adds to the competitive landscape.
• Regional Security: Pakistan and China may respond with accelerated missile programs, potentially heightening instability in South Asia.
• Technical Hurdles: Sustaining Mach 8 flight requires advanced propulsion and thermal shielding. Reliability and precision will be critical before deployment.
• Diplomatic Fallout: Such tests can trigger international scrutiny, especially from arms control advocates concerned about destabilizing technologies.

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Why This Matters

• Military Edge: Extends India’s strike reach deep into adversary territory, strengthening deterrence.
• Technological Leap: Positions India among the few nations with hypersonic missile capability.
• Geopolitical Signal: Demonstrates India’s intent to be a leading defense innovator amid shifting alliances (e.g., Turkey–Pakistan ties).

India’s ET-LDHCM test is not just a technological milestone—it’s a strategic message to both regional rivals and global powers that India is rapidly modernizing its defense arsenal.

Vedanta Receives NCLT Approval for Demerger Into Independent, Pure-Play Companies

• NCLT approval marks a key milestone in Vedanta’s transformation into focused, sector-leading companies. 
• Paves way for creation of four independent listed entities positioned to pursue accelerated growth. 
• Unlocks value through sharper strategic focus, independent capital allocation, and governance

Vedanta Limited, the world’s leading critical minerals, energy transition, metals, oil & gas, power, and technology conglomerate, today announced that the Mumbai Bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has sanctioned the Scheme of Arrangement for the Company’s demerger into four independent, pure-play businesses by an order dated December 16, 2025.

With this approval and subject to receipt of certain government, regulatory approvals and other stakeholder clearances, Vedanta enters the execution phase of a transformational demerger that will result in five separate listed companies[1] (including already listed Vedanta Limited), each with a clear strategic mandate, focused management teams, and dedicated capital structures. The demerger is designed to unlock long-term value for shareholders and provide investors direct exposure to high-quality, sector-leading assets aligned with India’s growth and global energy transition trends.

It represents a significant step in simplifying Vedanta’s corporate structure while strengthening accountability, transparency, and strategic clarity across the Company’s businesses.

Creating focused, world-class companies

Post demerger, Vedanta’s businesses will operate as independent, sector specific companies, each positioned to capitalise on its respective market opportunities. The resulting entities will be as follows:

• Vedanta Aluminium
• Vedanta Oil & Gas
• Vedanta Iron & Steel
• Vedanta Power*
• Vedanta Limited (to continue as the parent Company housing Hindustan Zinc Limited and incubating future-facing businesses)

(*The approval for demerger of merchant power business of Vedanta Limited is currently pending before the Hon’ble NCLT under a separate proceeding.)

Shareholders of Vedanta Limited will receive equity shares in each of the four resulting listed entities (in addition to their shareholding in Vedanta Limited) in proportion to their existing holdings, ensuring continuity of ownership while enabling direct participation in the growth trajectories of individual businesses.

Strategic rationale

Each demerged entity will operate with greater strategic flexibility, sharper market focus, and independent access to capital. Management teams in the demerged entities will align decision-making more closely with customer needs, investment cycles, and commodity-specific dynamics, while enabling investors to evaluate and value each business on its own merits.

The demerged entities will benefit from India’s continued infrastructure build-out, rapid urbanisation, energy transition, and emphasis on domestic manufacturing and resource security. The new structure positions each Company to respond nimbly to these trends while pursuing disciplined growth and operational excellence.

Commenting on the development, Mr. Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Vedanta Ltd., said:

This is a landmark moment in Vedanta’s journey. The NCLT’s approval reinforces our vision to create focused, world-class companies better aligned with India’s growth ambitions and the evolving global demand for resources, energy, and technology. Each of these entities has the potential to grow manifold, attract strategic investment, and deliver superior value as these sectors are witnessing double digit growth. The demerger is also about empowering leadership and ensuring that our commitment to sustainable growth remains deeply embedded in every Company.

Overview of the resulting businesses

Vedanta Aluminium, a leading global fully integrated producer of aluminium, will operate with strong cost competitiveness, a diversified product portfolio, and a growing focus on value-added and low-carbon aluminium solutions.

Vedanta Oil & Gas, the largest private oil and gas exploration and production company in India, will function as a dedicated upstream exploration and production Company with a large onshore and offshore footprint, focused on enhancing domestic energy security through disciplined development and technology-led resource maximisation.

Vedanta Power, one of the largest private sector power generators in India, will house the existing independent power generation assets and pursue opportunities in India’s evolving power market.

Vedanta Iron & Steel, India's leading producer of iron ore and steel, will bring together iron ore, steel, and value-added ferrous operations, providing a vertically integrated platform with scope for downstream expansion and green steel initiatives.

Vedanta Limited, as the residual entity, will continue to hold its stake in Hindustan Zinc Limited and act as an incubator for new and emerging businesses, including initiatives that are of strategic importance to India.

[1] The listing of the resulting companies will be subject to completion of requisite implementation steps under the approved Scheme of Arrangement, compliance with applicable securities laws, and receipt of such further regulatory, stock exchange, and other customary approvals, consents, and filings as may be required.

Bharat Nav‑Nirmaan Challenge 2025: NICMAR’s Nationwide Contest for Civil & Architecture Students

NICMAR, India’s premier and dedicated institution for Construction, Real Estate, Infrastructure and Project Management education (CRIP), has announced the launch of the Bharat Nav-Nirmaan Challenge, a nationwide initiative aimed at encouraging undergraduate students in solving real-world challenges linked to India’s built environment and nurture breakthrough ideas that can transform the country’s infrastructure landscape.

This one-of-a-kind challenge offers prizes worth Rs 30 lakh and is supported by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). The Bharat Nav-Nirmaan Challenge is open to students in Final and Pre-Final year of civil engineering, architecture, planning and allied disciplines across Indian colleges and universities. Designed as a structured, multi-stage programme, it provides participants with an opportunity to apply their technical learning to practical infrastructure issues while gaining exposure to the academic and industry ecosystem that supports India’s infrastructure development.

Welcoming the Bharat Nav-Nirmaan Challenge as an opportunity for budding students to bring their creative and practical knowledge in one platform, Dr Tapash Kumar Ganguli, Director General (Interim), NICMAR said, “India is entering its most ambitious decade of infrastructure expansion and the demand for skilled problem-solvers with engineering foundations has never been higher. The Bharat Nav-Nirmaan Challenge is our commitment to empower young minds to be part of our nation’s future infrastructure story. India needs innovative thinkers and this platform gives students a meaningful starting point to explore their interests and contribute ideas that align with the country’s development priorities.”

With free registration, student groups comprising of three members (pre-final or final year students), can apply through their colleges. Interdisciplinary approach is encouraged with the requirement of at least two members from civil engineering, architecture or allied disciplines. Participating student groups must submit a brief concept outlining their solution to an infrastructure-related problem.

The Challenge follows five structured stages, College-Level Round, Online Submission Round, City Finale, Regional Finale, and the Grand Finale which will be held in Mumbai. One winning team per college qualifies for the next round, where selected teams enter a national pool to submit detailed proposals. These proposals will form the first layer of evaluation for the jury. This is followed by the City Finales, hosted across key urban centres, where winners will progress to Regional Finales, hosted at NICMAR campuses in Pune, Hyderabad, and Delhi-NCR. One regional winner from each region will participate in the National Grand Finale in Mumbai.

The winners of the Bharat Nav-Nirmaan challenge will receive exciting set of rewards such as infrastructure excellence tour to Dubai, MacBooks, VR headsets, drone trophies and more.

Throughout the contest, participants will gain access to mentorship from NICMAR experts, workshops with engineers, planners, and innovation leaders. Submissions may focus on areas such as construction technology, sustainability, digital construction, mobility, housing, or urban development. Shortlisted teams will be paired with NICMAR faculty and industry mentors to refine their ideas and strengthen feasibility.

UST and IIT Madras Incubation Cell Sign MoU to Accelerate Deep Tech Startups in Healthcare and Life Sciences

• Mentorship & Funding Support announced for Winners of Pitch to Win - Pharma 4.0
• Strategic partnership to accelerate deep tech startups in India developing breakthrough solutions in healthcare and life sciences
• Top three winners of the innovation challenge, Pitch to Win: Pharma 4.0 announced
• Winning startups gain mentorship, and total conditional funding support of up to ₹45 lakh

UST, a leading AI and technology transformation solutions company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the IIT Madras Incubation Cell (IITMIC), India’s premier deep tech startup hub anchored at IIT-Madras, to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and research-driven solutions in the healthcare and life sciences sector.

The MoU aims to create a collaborative framework between UST and IITMIC to drive innovation through joint programs, engagement with incubates, and industry partnerships, especially in high‑impact domains. This agreement establishes a scalable, structured yet flexible partnership between UST and IITMIC to identify high‑potential startups, provide them with mentorship and targeted funding, and systematically expand pilots and proof‑of‑concepts, form strategic collaborations, and create go-to-market opportunities.

A first in a series of joint innovation programs, this collaboration of UST and IITMIC, in partnership with Pfizer as Knowledge Partner and AWS as Technology Partner, jointly conducted the Pitch to Win: Pharma 4.0 Edition. The innovation challenge received over ninety startup applications from 32 cities across India, reflecting the growing momentum of India’s healthcare and life sciences startup ecosystem. The top ten finalists received a month’s worth of mentorship support from UST and finally presented before a distinguished jury panel at the final pitch day, held at IITMIC, Chennai.

The top three winners of the Pitch to Win – Pharma 4.0 Edition were Nucleo-Vir Therapeutics (Winner), ChemBioSens (First Runner-Up) and LN Infosphere Tech Transformers (Second Runner-Up). They received cash awards of ₹1,25,000, ₹75,000 and ₹50,000 respectively. In addition, UST will offer a total conditional funding of up to ₹45 lakh to the three startups, along with GTM and other strategic support.

Manu Gopinath, President, UST, said, “Our partnership with IIT Madras Incubation Cell is a strategic leap in how we harness deep tech innovation across industries. With IITMIC’s proven incubation ecosystem and access to cutting-edge research, we are not just backing startups; we are nurturing bold founders, accelerating research-driven ideas, and building a strong pipeline of solutions that can transform businesses, communities, and society at large. By combining IITMIC’s cross-domain innovation capabilities with UST’s global reach, industry partnerships, and mentorship, we are creating a scalable platform to bring impactful, next-generation technologies from the lab to the market.”

Dr. Tamaswati Ghosh, Chief Executive Officer, IITMIC, added, “This collaboration with UST reflects our shared vision to advance India’s deep-tech innovation landscape, particularly in healthcare and life sciences. Through initiatives like Pitch to Win: Pharma 4.0, we’re not only nurturing high-potential startups but also building bridges between academia, industry, and investors to scale impactful solutions that can improve lives globally.”

This partnership underscores UST’s dedication to advancing research-driven innovation and entrepreneurship, leveraging its global expertise to accelerate next-generation solutions within India’s Life Sciences 4.0 ecosystem.