India’s defence budget sets the financial roadmap for national security, military modernisation and long-term strategic capability. It outlines allocations for the Ministry of Defence, including spending on personnel, equipment, infrastructure, research and procurement. The focus in recent years has been on indigenisation, strengthening border preparedness, and boosting domestic manufacturing under the defence production push. The budget also reflects India’s wider geopolitical priorities as it works to upgrade its forces and reduce dependence on imports.
Over 2,800 kilometres of the Dedicated Freight Corridor project have been completed, establishing a key backbone for trade and transport across eastern and western India. Daily operations now see over 430 freight trains running on these dedicated tracks, significantly reducing travel time and operational costs while expanding connectivity for farmers and industries. Key infrastructure advancements include double-stack container operations from JNPT to Vadodara and the introduction of new rail routes connecting tribal regions across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Alongside transport infrastructure, manufacturing capabilities have expanded with indigenous military transport aircraft production, over 50,000 modern rail coaches built since 2014, and floating solar projects boosting domestic renewable capacity. To support youth empowerment and future industrial demands, new initiatives focus on free online coaching for competitive exams and skill development in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
India has transitioned from a historically reactive defence posture, previously termed the Panipat syndrome, to a proactive national security framework. The nation gained entry into the Missile Technology Control Regime in 2016, enabling the extended operational range of BrahMos missiles. Indigenous defence production has expanded from approximately Rs 40,000 crore under the previous administration to Rs 1.80 lakh crore, alongside defence exports reaching Rs 38,500 crore across more than 100 nations. Modern military hardware inducted includes the Akashteer air defence control system, Pinaka rocket launchers, Astra missiles, Tejas fighter jets, and the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. The national defence budget increased from Rs 2.5 lakh crore to nearly Rs 8 lakh crore over the past twelve years, while border infrastructure funding grew by 400 percent. In addition, initiatives such as the repeal of Article 370 and multilateral leadership in the International Solar Alliance, G7 dialogues, and the G20 New Delhi Leaders Declaration reflect expanding strategic and civilisational influence globally.
Statecraft examines a 30-year US-Saudi civilian nuclear agreement that could permit uranium enrichment for a civilian programme. The bulletin outlines the involvement of US firms, congressional review and concerns that the pact could weaken established non-proliferation safeguards or encourage similar demands across West Asia. It also presents the administration’s case that American oversight would restrict access to sensitive technology and keep the programme peaceful.
The big focus of this episode of India First is on the Ram Mandir donation scam. The probe into the embezzlement of devotees' donations at the Ram Mandir has taken a major turn.
Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi launched a blistering attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over the Union Budget and the trade deal with the United States.
The big talking point of this episode of 'To The Point' is the unprecedented no-confidence motion filed by 118 opposition MPs against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, alleging institutional bias.
A showdown between BJP and Congress escalated over Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s attempt to quote from an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General M.M. Naravane in Lok Sabha.
In this edition of 'To The Point', the big talking point is the political confrontation in Lok Sabha following Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi’s references to an unpublished memoir by former Army Chief General MM Naravane.
This special News Today edition covers Pakistan's decision to boycott its T20 World Cup match against India following Bangladesh's withdrawal. The program features analysis by Sunil Gavaskar regarding potential ICC sanctions.
On this Special Report, host Maria Shereen decodes the significance of the traditional 'halwa ceremony' ahead of the Union Budget. Former Minister of State for Finance Jayant Sinha highlights the shift in India's fiscal landscape, stating, 'The mirchi of taxes has become the sugar of these budgets' due to revised tax slabs and GST simplification. The panel, featuring economist Professor Arun Kumar and Gaurav Vallabh of the PM’s Economic Advisory Council, debates the impact of tax relief on the middle class versus the unorganised sector. Sinha emphasizes that India is currently in a 'Goldilocks zone' with steady 7% growth and low inflation. The discussion further explores anticipated hikes in the defence budget following 'Operation Sindoor' and the need for self-reliance in production. The experts also deliberate on rural employment schemes, agricultural productivity, and the necessity of increasing R&D expenditure to compete globally. The programme provides a comprehensive outlook on the economic priorities and fiscal space available for the upcoming financial year.
Market participants are closely watching whether defence stocks could remain active in the coming days and what investors should keep in mind before taking exposure to this sector.
This market opening business show highlights a major development where the Adani Group has reportedly tied up with Brazil's Embraer to manufacture commercial aircraft in India. The programme discusses the government's revised GDP growth forecast of 7.4% for the fiscal year 2026, surpassing the RBI's estimates. Additionally, the broadcast covers the upcoming IPO of Bharat Cooking Coal and the impact of global geopolitical tensions on the markets. Experts analyse the implications of these events for investors and the broader economy.
The big talking point of this episode of India First is admissions by Pakistan's top leadership regarding Operation Sindoor.
In a major boost to India's military capabilities, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared procurement proposals worth ₹79,000 crore. India Today's Senior Editor Shivani Sharma reports that this 'biggest DAC approval' includes the MQ-9B drones, Astra Mark-II missile systems, and SPICE-1000 guided kits. The approval also extends the emergency procurement window to January 15. The cleared projects aim to strengthen the Army, Navy, and Air Force with advanced loitering munitions and surveillance platforms.
On this edition of the Business Today show, anchor Sakshi Batra tracks the day's market action as the Sensex hovers around the 85,600 mark and the Nifty nears 26,200. The programme highlights the record-breaking rally in precious metals, with MCX gold hitting a peak of ₹1.38 lakh. The show also focuses on the government's major decision to overhaul the GDP calculation methodology starting February 2026 to include the informal economy. Guest Abhishek Basu Malik, Co-founder and Fund Manager at Sri Rama Managers PMS, joins to discuss market volatility and the outlook for 2026. Additionally, the broadcast covers expected auto price hikes in January and the impact of GST rate cuts.
In this market bulletin, the anchor highlights the Competition Commission of India's probe into IndiGo for alleged abuse of market dominance following recent flight disruptions. The report details the Adani Group's major consolidation of its cement business, with Ambuja Cements approving the merger of ACC and Orient Cement to create a pan-India powerhouse. The broadcast also covers record-breaking highs in gold and silver prices, which a market expert attributes to fears of a monetary reset and global inflation. Additionally, Shriram Finance clarifies it is not seeking a banking license, refuting recent speculation. The segment concludes with a look at the flat market opening, with the Nifty and Bank Nifty showing marginal moves, and specific stock action in the real estate and insurance sectors.
In this special report, the discussion centers on the critical challenges facing the Indian Navy's aviation modernisation and the strategic push for indigenisation. Experts analyse the delicate balance between acquiring immediate foreign platforms like the Rafale Marines and investing in indigenous projects such as the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TED-BF). The conversation highlights the financial constraints of maintaining a 400-aircraft fleet as envisioned in the Atmanirbhar roadmap of 2047. Concerns are raised regarding the delays in indigenous manufacturing and the necessity of foreign collaborations for engine technology. The panel also examines the strategic role of P8I aircraft and MQ-9 drones in establishing a formidable anti-submarine warfare architecture in the Indian Ocean Region. The programme underscores the complexity of achieving self-reliance while ensuring operational readiness against evolving maritime threats.
In a significant move to bolster national security, India is reportedly seeking a major hike in the defence budget for the upcoming financial year. Following 'Operation Sindoor', the Defence Ministry expects a 20% increase in allocation to accelerate military readiness. The transcript highlights a focus on indigenous production, capital outlay, and the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative. Key areas for the proposed funding include enhancing air defence systems like the 'Sudarshan Chakra' and aggressive procurement of drones. The report underscores the need for faster modernisation to counter regional security challenges.
In a controversial statement on Vijay Diwas, former Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan questioned the success of 'Operation Sindoor', claiming India was 'completely defeated' on day one. Chavan also asked, 'Do we need to keep 12 lakhs of soldiers?' suggesting future wars would be aerial. The BJP's C.R. Kesavan condemned the remarks, calling the Congress 'Islamabad National Congress' and accusing the party of insulting the armed forces.
Experts believe that both exports and domestic defence manufacturing will benefit, making the sector one of the strongest investment themes in the market right now.
