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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in the multinational air exercise INIOCHOS-25, which began today, March 31, 2025, at Andravida Air Base in Greece. Hosted by Greece’s Hellenic Air Force, the 12-day exercise will run until April 11. The IAF contingent includes Su-30 MKI fighters, IL-78, and C-17 aircraft.

INIOCHOS-25 aims to enhance international cooperation, interoperability, and combat readiness through combined air operations and tactical training in complex scenarios. With participation from 15 countries, the exercise promotes mutual learning and strengthens military ties.

The Indian government is set to introduce a new cooperative-based taxi service called ‘Sahkar Taxi.‘ This initiative, announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament on March 27, 2025, aims to provide an alternative to private ride-hailing platforms like Ola and Uber. The service will include bike, cab, and auto rides, ensuring that profits go directly to the drivers instead of large corporations.

The ‘Sahkar Taxi’ service aligns with the vision of ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity through Cooperation). Drivers will be able to register their vehicles—two-wheelers, auto-rickshaws, and four-wheelers—through cooperative societies. This model eliminates middlemen, allowing drivers to retain their full earnings and achieve better financial security.

Additionally, the government plans to establish a cooperative insurance company to support this initiative. This company will provide financial protection to drivers and others in the cooperative sector. The rollout of the ‘Sahkar Taxi’ service is expected in the coming months, offering affordable transport for passengers and fairer opportunities for drivers.

This move reflects the government’s commitment to promoting cooperative models and addressing concerns about high commission fees charged by private platforms. It is a step toward creating a more equitable and transparent transportation system in India.

On March 27, 2025, the Ministry of Defence signed contracts with Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited, Force Motors Ltd, and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd to procure the Nag Missile System (NAMIS) Tracked version and 5,000 light vehicles for the Armed Forces, totaling Rs 2,500 crore.

The NAMIS (Tr) contract, worth Rs 1,801.34 crore, was developed by DRDO’s Defence Research & Development Laboratory. It is an advanced fire-and-forget anti-tank weapon system designed to enhance the Indian Army’s mechanised operations and combat capabilities.

The light vehicles feature modern technology, offering enhanced engine power and an 800 kg payload capacity. They will improve mobility for the Armed Forces across various terrains and operational environments.

These procurements will boost indigenous defence manufacturing, generating employment opportunities in the MSME sector. This step reinforces the country’s defence capabilities and supports the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

From March 25 to 27, 2025, the Indian Armed Forces conducted a tri-service integrated exercise called Prachand Prahar in the high-altitude terrain of Arunachal Pradesh. The Army, Air Force, and Navy collaborated to test their coordinated operational capabilities.

The exercise involved the deployment of advanced surveillance assets like long-range aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and space-based resources. Special Forces were also used to detect and track simulated targets.

Once targets were identified, they were neutralized using joint firepower from fighter aircraft, rocket systems, artillery, drones, and loitering munitions. Operations were conducted in a contested electronic environment to ensure precise strikes.

The exercise was reviewed by Eastern Army Commander Lieutenant General Ram Chander Tiwari, Eastern Air Commander Air Marshal Surat Singh, and Navy Commodore Ajay Yadav. They praised the forces for their professionalism and operational skills.

Prachand Prahar demonstrated the Armed Forces’ capability to conduct integrated operations across multiple domains, reaffirming India’s readiness to counter emerging threats along its borders.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), World Social Security Report 2024-26, India’s coverage has jumped from 24.4% in 2021 to 48.8% in 2024.

Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya highlighted this progress during the webinar on ‘Investing in People’. Key achievements include:

• 17.1 crore jobs created between 2014 and 2024, with 4.6 crore added in the past year alone.
• Unemployment rate dropped from 6% (2017-18) to 3.2% (2023-24).
• Female workforce participation surged from 22% to 40.3%.

Dr. Mandaviya emphasized the government’s focus on empowering youth through skill development and its commitment to fostering global economic contributions. 💼