Page 7 - NIS English 16-31 Aug, 2026

Manufacturing Boosted by PLI Successful Test of ‘Kusha’ Missile

Investment and Exports Rise; On July 23, 2026, the Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted
Over 14.15 Lakh Jobs Created the first successful flight test of the ‘Kusha’—a

The Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) long-range surface-to-air missile—from APJ
schemes launched by the government Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.
across 14 key sectors—aimed at enhancing This initial test was carried out against an
manufacturing capabilities, attracting electronic target simulating a high-speed,
investment, boosting exports, and creating high-altitude aerial threat. The missile system
jobs—have attracted investments exceeding successfully intercepted (destroyed) the
₹2.40 lakh crore as of March 31, 2026. This target. The ‘Kusha’ missile system is capable
has generated over 14.15 lakh jobs (both of neutralizing various types of aerial
direct and indirect). Additionally, the scheme threats—including fighter aircraft, missiles,
has facilitated cumulative exports worth more Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and
than ₹15.2 lakh crore to date. large enemy aircraft—across a wide
range of distances and altitudes.
Mobile Manufacturing: Mobile production
increased 2.4-fold, while imports dropped by India’s Historic Performance at
77%. 99.2% of phones used in the country the International Science and
are domestically produced.
Mathematics Olympiads 2026
Pharmaceuticals: Sales
exceeded ₹3.64 lakh crore; `15.2
domestic production of 1,931 lakh crore
medicines and 191 new bulk
drugs has commenced.
Medical
Equipment: Rising
Domestic Indian students delivered an extraordinary performance
manufacturing exports at the International Olympiads for Physics, Chemistry,
of CT scanners, under PLI Biology, and Mathematics in 2026, showcasing the
MRI machines, schemes nation’s scientific excellence on the global stage. India
cath labs, and secured a total of 12 gold and 7 silver medals across
ultrasonography these four Olympiads this year. A historic highlight was
equipment has increased that every Indian representative participating in the
due to the PLI scheme; `6.5 Physics and Chemistry Olympiads won a gold medal.
55 types of equipment lakh crore This remarkable success demonstrates the effectiveness
have been developed. of the national Olympiad program in science and
mathematics. The program is conducted with the
`4.0 support of the Department of Atomic Energy and
lakh crore under the expert guidance of the Homi Bhabha Centre
for Science Education.
For nearly four decades, the Department of
2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 Atomic Energy has been providing continuous
institutional support to identify and nurture the
country’s talented youth, enabling them to achieve

success in international competitions. n

Aug 16-31, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 5