DRDO successfully conducted the maiden flight-test of the ‘Kusha’ Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LR-SAM) on 23 July 2026. It has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The test took place from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off the coast of Odisha. The missile successfully intercepted a high-speed, high-altitude electronic target. Kusha can neutralise fighter jets, missiles, UAVs, and large enemy aircraft over a long range and altitude. The missile, radars, and command-and-control system were developed by DRDO laboratories and industry partners.

Several major Indian companies, including Adani, Reliance Industries, Hindalco, Vedanta Aluminium, Powercem, and Coal India, are interested in Odisha’s Karlapat Bauxite Block. Karlapat Bauxite Block is located in Kalahandi district, Odisha. It is a greenfield mining block. It contains about 45.2% alumina with low silica content. Odisha accounts for about 41% of India’s bauxite resources.

Mission Mausam was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14 January 2025. The objective is to make India a “Weather-ready and Climate-smart” nation. It focuses on better weather observations, forecasting, and early warning systems. The mission promotes AI/ML-based forecasting, advanced Earth System Models, and High-Performance Computing (HPC). It also aims to establish a Decision Support System (DSS) with last-mile connectivity. Arunika and Arka supercomputing systems have enhanced the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ computing power.

India, under its BRICS Chairmanship 2026, is hosting the BRICS Ministerial Meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) on 24 July 2026 in New Delhi. The meeting is organised by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The meeting is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.” BRICS DRR cooperation evolved from the Udaipur Declaration (2016) and the Kazan Declaration (2024).