Page 7 - NIS English 16-30 September, 2026

Atmanirbhar Bharat... Two Indigenously Built Vessels Handed Over
to the Navy in One Week
India is vigorously advancing self-reliance in the defense sector. As part of this initiative, two indigenously
built vessels were handed over to the Indian Navy during the last week of August. The first vessel inducted
into the naval fleet is the indigenous multi-purpose vessel ‘Samarthak’. The second is the ‘Nistar’-class div-
ing support vessel, INS Nipun. Both vessels were constructed using 75% indigenous content.
‘Samarthak’, was handed over to the Indian Navy on August 27. It has been developed to serve as a multi-
utility trial and evaluation platform. The vessel is designed for maritime surveillance and reconnaissance,
offshore patrolling, and assisting in humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations when required. The
induction of INS Nipun, the second Diving Support Vessel of the Nistar class, has enhanced the
Navy’s capabilities in deep-sea diving, underwater operations, and submarine rescue missions.

PM SVANidhi: Loans Government of India scheme boosts

extended to 10.56 lakh new electronics manufacturing
beneficiaries following The Government of India has approved 31 new proposals
restructuring with an estimated investment of ₹6,844 crore under
the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme
The PM SVANidhi scheme, launched to assist (ECMS). With these, a total of 106 ECMS projects have
street vendors, was restructured and extended been sanctioned so far, promising an investment of
until March 31, 2030. In the year following this ₹69,548 crore and the potential to generate 75,000
restructuring, 21.86 lakh loans amounting to direct jobs. The scheme has accelerated electronics
₹6,294 crore have been disbursed to 10.56 lakh manufacturing; 38 plants are already operational,
new beneficiaries. Additionally, over 27,000 while construction on another 16 is in the final
UPI-linked RuPay credit cards have been issued stages. The scheme is fostering an ‘indigenous’
to eligible vendors. To date, the scheme has value chain by enabling domestic
provided over 1.18 crore loans to 78.68 lakh manufacturing of essential
street vendors. Interest subsidies totaling ₹421 components and raw materials
crore and cashback worth for the first time. With ECMS
₹418 crore have also been capacity enabling production that
provided to those doing exceeds domestic demand, India
digital transactions. is moving towards self-reliance
in the electronics sector. In
fact, production in key areas
such as anode materials (110%),
optical transceiver SFPs (350%),
and relays (200%) has already

surpassed demand. n

Sep 16-30, 2026 || NEW INDIA SAMACHAR 5