Education in Ireland Launches 2026 Roadshow to Welcome Aspiring Indian Students

India, September 26, 2025: Education in Ireland, the national brand representing Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) worldwide, today announced the return of its flagship roadshow in India, scheduled from October 4–12, 2025

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The initiative will bring 21 leading Irish universities and colleges to five major Indian cities- starting in Chennai on October 4th, followed by Bengaluru on October 5th, Kochi on October 8th, Pune on October 11th, and concluding in Mumbai on October 12th– with the aim of offering insights into Ireland’s globally recognized higher education system and vibrant student life.

The fairs are part of Education in Ireland’s nationwide campaign, #StudyEmeraldIsle, which seeks to provide a comprehensive, one-stop guidance platform on higher education opportunities in Ireland. At the fairs, students and parents will gain direct access to representatives and academics from a wide range of Irish institutions as well as officials from the Irish Visa Office, who will host dedicated sessions to simplify the visa application process.

Students attending the fairs will have the opportunity to:

  • Explore a wide portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in technology, healthcare, sustainability, arts and humanities, business and finance, innovation, and much more.
  • Gain insights into research opportunities, industry-linked programmes, and scholarships.
  • Understand Ireland’s post-study work environment, which has made it a launchpad for global careers.
  • Access personalised, one-on-one consultations with university representatives and visa officials, and gain in-depth understanding of programmes from academics.

Ireland has rapidly emerged as one of the fastest-growing study destinations for Indian students, with more than 10,000 Indian students enrolling in Irish institutions in 2024, a number that has doubled over the past five years. The country’s strong academic reputation, career-focused programs, vibrant research ecosystem, and post-study stay back option have cemented its position as a highly sought-after choice among Indian aspirants.

Speaking about the fairs, Ms. Elizabeth McHenry, Regional Manager – Asia, Education in Ireland, stated, “Ireland is committed to offering world-class education in an environment that is innovative, globally connected, and welcoming to international students. With these fairs, we want to give Indian students and their families first-hand access to our institutions to enable them to explore how Ireland can shape their academic and professional futures. From cutting-edge programmes and scholarships to our strong post-study work pathways, Ireland continues to be one of the most exciting and rewarding education destinations worldwide.”

neOwn Launches Nationwide Million Readers Movement to Transform India’s Reading Culture

India, September 25th, 2025: In a country where children under 5 spend over 2 hours daily on screens, twice the WHO’s recommended limit, a Mumbai-based initiative is daring to dream bigger: one million children who choose books over digital devices.

Kranti Gada_Founder of neOwn

Can a nation of a billion nurture a million young readers to pick up books and read like second nature? That’s the vision behind India’s tech-enabled, app-based book rental service, neOwn and its newly launched Million Readers Movement. The movement has already drawn backing from voices across entertainment, business and literature.

At the heart of the campaign is a simple idea: every adult has the power to influence a child’s reading habit. A parent reading aloud before bedtime, a teacher introducing a story outside the syllabus, an author sharing a childhood favourite, or even a friend gifting a book instead of sweets, each small act adds up. The movement hopes these acts will ignite a cultural shift where reading becomes as natural in Indian households as cricket or cinema.

The Movement was launched by Shri Buddhichand Maroo, founder of Shemaroo Entertainment and the iconic Shemaroo Book Library, who became the first pledgee. In 1962, at just 22 years old, he founded the Shemaroo Book Library with a simple vision: make quality books accessible to every family. For over six decades, the library has created and supported a reading culture that shaped distinguished professionals and leaders across India.

Since then, influential voices from diverse fields have joined the cause. Industry leaders like Arjun Vaidya (founder of Dr. Vaidya’s (accquired) and co- founder V3 Ventures), award-winning children’s author Mallika Ravikumar, corporate governance and ESG pioneer Shri Shailesh Haribhakti and Shemaroo Entertainment CEO Hiren Gada have taken the pledge. Their support reflects a shared belief that reading is the foundation for developing critical thinking and innovation in the next generation.

“India’s children are drowning in digital content, but starving for stories,” says Kranti Gada, founder of neOwn. “Children deserve to discover reading as adventure, imagination and discovery, not just another task competing with their favorite apps.”

She adds, Every child deserves the transformative power of reading. This is perhaps the greatest gift we can give our children, the chance to fall in love with reading. Together, we can raise a generation of imaginative, confident, and resilient leaders for India’s tomorrow.

Unlike digital content that demands passive consumption, the Million Readers Movement champions sustained engagement with books, novels, stories, and curiosity-driven non-fiction that help children think critically, focus deeply, and engage meaningfully with complex ideas. In an era where AI can generate instant answers, the uniquely human ability to wrestle with ideas, sit with uncertainty, and develop nuanced understanding becomes even more crucial. The goal is not just to reduce screen time, but to raise a generation of thoughtful and creative leaders who can navigate complexity and build tomorrow’s India.

The initiative focuses on children aged 0–14, but its real audience is every adult who can help make books part of children’s everyday lives. Early supporters are committing to weekly actions, from sharing stories of their own favourite books to encouraging kids to swap screens for pages.

The philosophy is clear: reading should spark curiosity, not feel like an obligation. If India can embed books in the same cultural space as movies, music and sport, then the next generation will carry forward not just knowledge, but imagination and empathy.

The neOwn app makes reading accessible and affordable by delivering thousands of curated children’s books to households nationwide, removing common barriers like cost and clutter. By combining doorstep delivery with a constantly growing catalogue, neOwn is helping revive the joy of reading for a screen-dominated generation.

KIIT College of Engineering Hosts Internal Hackathon for SIH 2025

Gurugram, 24TH SEPTEMBER 2025: KIIT College of Engineering, Sohna Road, organized an Internal Hackathon as part of the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025. The event, held under the theme “Think. Create. Innovate.”, provided a platform for students to present innovative ideas and prototypes aimed at solving real-world challenges through technology.

Hackathon- 3

The hackathon was conducted in two phases; an Idea Presentation round, followed by the Prototype Presentation round. During both sessions, students showcased projects ranging from AI-based healthcare chatbots to advanced road network models designed to address Indian traffic challenges.

The Guests of Honour included industry experts from Vastav Intellect, Vikas Lifecare Limited, and Expedia. Dr. S.K. Dhawan from Vikas Lifecare Limited shared insights on innovation and entrepreneurship, highlighting how a simple idea, backed by hard work and persistence, can evolve into a successful business generating employment opportunities. Venkatesh Bharti from Vastav Intellect emphasized the importance of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), urging students to secure their innovations through patents and copyrights to protect their originality.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Neelima Kamrah, Registrar of KIIT College of Engineering, said, “Hackathons encourage students to think differently and find innovative solutions to pressing problems. Such initiatives help them align their skills with industry requirements and prepare them to meet future challenges with confidence.”

The internal hackathon served as a preliminary round to identify and mentor teams from KIIT College of Engineering for participation in the national-level Smart India Hackathon 2025.

IIM Sambalpur Inaugurates First-Ever Batch of B.S. Programme

22 Sept, 2025; Sambalpur: Following the announcement made in May 2025, IIM Sambalpur launched these two cutting-edge programmes in Delhi, and has now welcomed the inaugural batch of its first-ever B.S. Programme in Data Science & AI and B.S. Programme in Management & Public Policy at the Sambalpur campus in Odisha.

In alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, IIM Sambalpur has launched its two cutting-edge new undergraduate programmes: “Bachelor of Science in Management and Public Policy” and “Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence” in May 2025. The course curriculum is aligned with the world’s top universities such as MIT, Stanford, Harvard, and Carnegie Mellon University, all of which offer BS programs with similar names.

BS Program inuguration

The inaugural batch welcomed 178 students across the two programmes, 88 in Data Science & AI and 90 in Management & Public Policy. Representing more than 20 states of India, including Bihar, Odisha, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Lakshadweep, the batch reflects strong regional diversity. The B.S. in Data Science & AI programme has enrolled 69 male and 19 female students, while the B.S. in Management & Public Policy has 51 male and 39 female students, ensuring a healthy gender balance.

Admission Process

Admissions were made through JEE (Main) 2025 for Data Science & AI, with the highest admitted rank being 44,645, and through CUET (UG) 2025 for Management & Public Policy, where the top scorers achieved a 99.80 percentile. The academic credentials of the cohort are equally impressive, with an average Class 12th score of 90.5% for Data Science & AI students and 88.2% for those in Management & Public Policy.

Ratnesh Jha, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network India graced the occasion as the chief guest, while Amit Sareen, Managing Director, Accenture and Anjan A, Vice President, North Trust were present as the Guests of honour. Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur along with faculty and students were also present during the event.

The event also featured expert speaker sessions in which the esteemed speakers were Vivek Agarwal, Country Director, Tony Blair Institute; Harpreet Singh, Head –Counterparty Credit Risk, BFSI Sector; Gangadhar Yasam, Head of IT Strategy, Ford Motor Company; Divay Pranav, Business Strategy & Partnerships, Hyundai Motors; Arpit Bajpai, Co-Founder, Neurosensum, were present as key note speakers in the event.

During his inaugural address, Prof. Mahadeo Jaiswal, Director, IIM Sambalpur, said, “This is a historic step for IIM Sambalpur. By launching these B.S. programmes, we are investing in young minds who will become leaders in technology, policy, and society. These programmes will not only prepare students with academic excellence but also instil in them the values of integrity, innovation, and responsibility towards nation-building. Anchored in the core values of Integrity and Innovation, the programmes provides strong roots in data analysis, critical reasoning, and evidence-based decision-making. The cross-functional courses are designed to develop responsible leaders who can address intricate societal and industrial challenges with innovation, compassion, and a global perspective. This degree program is pioneering and will be adopted by other top management institutes.”

Apart from that, Prof. Jaiswal advised students and said, “Students need to nurture four kinds of intelligence for holistic growth. First is IQ, which sharpens the intellect. Second is EQ, which teaches them to manage their emotions effectively. Third is PQ, which emphasizes the importance of good health, physical fitness, and preferring naturopathy. And Finally, SQ – the spiritual quotient – which helps them reflect on the deeper purpose of life”.

While addressing the students, Chief Guest, Ratnesh Jha, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network, said, “Congratulation to IIM Sambalpur for excellent NIRF rankings 2025 and for successful inauguration of the first batch of the B.S. Programme. IIM Sambalpur continues to be a hub of creativity and inspiration, opening new avenues for the younger generation. The four-year B.S. Programme holds immense potential to transform students into accomplished professional, well-prepared to contribute meaningfully to the nation. He further emphasized that, while striving for academic excellence, ratings and rankings, it is equally important not to overlook spiritual growth and physical well-being. He added that students must focus on the four Cs, as the absence of any one of them makes progress incomplete and less fulfilling”.

The Bachelor of Science in Management and Public Policy programme is designed to meet national managerial aspirations in terms of Sustainability, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), and community-led development. This programme aims to equip a new generation of change-makers to close the gap between policy and practice at the grassroots level.

The Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence is focused towards developing India’s digital capability and global competitiveness. The programme, co-designed with industry leaders builds future ready skill set among young students and encourages the use of ethical AI, reaffirming the institution’s pledge to innovation with integrity.

The inaugural marks a new chapter in IIM Sambalpur’s journey to shape responsible leaders with a balance of academic rigor, innovation, and social responsibility. Notably, IIM Sambalpur is the first IIM to offer admissions to its B.S. in Data Science & Artificial Intelligence programme through IIT JEE Main, and to its B.S. in Management & Public Policy programme through CUET, both prestigious national-level entrance exams conducted by the National Testing Agency.

IIM Sambalpur has reached a significant milestone this year, climbing 16 positions in the NIRF ranking 2025. Speaking on the institute’s accreditation journey, Prof. Soumya Guha Deb, Dean (Ranking & Accreditation), highlighted the strategic initiatives and sustained efforts that have contributed to this remarkable achievement.

Prof. Diwahar S Nadar and Prof. Rohit Gupta introduced the B.S. Programmes. The welcome address was delivered by Prof. Diptiranjan Mahapatra, Dean, (Academics), while the vote of thanks was proposed by Prof. Diwahar S Nadar.

Youth Must Cultivate Inner Calm to Build a Peaceful World: Dr Birbal Jha

Patna, September 21: The message of peace and inner harmony rang out at British Lingua, Boring Road, Patna, on Saturday as acclaimed author and educator Dr Birbal Jha addressed a gathering of young people on the occasion of the International Day of Peace. Serving as the chief speaker, Dr Jha urged the youth to embrace peace as a daily practice and a pathway to prosperity.

“Peace is not a commodity to be bought; it is a skill to be cultivated,” the Youngest Living Legend of Mithila, Dr Birbal Jha told the audience, stressing that small acts of kindness can spark greater harmony. “True peace begins with something as simple as bringing a smile to another’s face. While we cannot see our own smile without a mirror, the joy reflected in others is unmistakable.”

Calling inner calm the key to personal growth, the English Litterateur Dr Birbal said, “The pursuit of inner peace is, in fact, the pursuit of prosperity. A mind at peace radiates energy, fosters understanding, and transforms relationships.” Dr Jha urged young people to shed negativity—“Distance yourself from arrogance, envy, greed, and ego. A sincere pursuit of peace naturally leads to happiness.”
Dr Jha drew from diverse traditions to underline the universality of his message. “The Bhagavad Gita, the Bible, and the Quran converge on a simple truth: treat others as you wish to be treated,” Dr Jha said. Quoting the Dalai Lama, he reminded the gathering, “Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.”
Forgiveness, Dr Birbal stressed, is a mark of strength. “The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong,” Dr Jha said, citing Mahatma Gandhi. “Conflict, when handled wisely, can be transformative and productive. Settle disputes at the peace table before they escalate.”
Rejecting the notion that peace means passivity, Dr Birbal Jha, known as ‘Living Literary Legend of Bihar’, urged the audience to act with moral courage. “Speak now or forever hold your peace,” Dr Jha said. “Confront challenges mindfully and resolve issues with empathy.”
As India moves toward a future of global leadership, Dr Jha called on the youth to become ambassadors of harmony. “Each smile, each act of kindness, and each moment of forgiveness plants the seeds for a more harmonious world,” Dr Jha concluded.
The programme, attended by students and young professionals, ended with a pledge to practice daily acts of peace, echoing Dr Jha’s belief that “life without serenity is life half-lived.”

Empowering Dreams: How Scholarships Are Shaping the Future of Meritorious Students

By – Neeraj Kansal Founder & CEO of Crack Academy

In today’s highly competitive academic landscape, education has become one of the most significant investments for a brighter future. However, for many talented students, especially those from financially weaker backgrounds, the rising cost of quality education often acts as a barrier to achieving their aspirations. This is where scholarships play a transformative role, empowering meritorious students to pursue their dreams without being held back by financial constraints.

Scholarships serve as gateways to equal opportunities, enabling deserving students to access the best educational resources, mentorship, and guidance. They not only provide financial relief but also act as a motivational driver, encouraging students to excel academically and perform to their full potential.

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In recent years, many educational institutions have introduced structured scholarship programs designed to support both merit and need. For instance, some institutes offer 100% scholarships to top-performing students, 75% to the next set of achievers, and 50% to a broader group of aspirants. These initiatives are particularly impactful for students preparing for competitive examinations like NEET, JEE, UPSC, SSC, Banking, and Railways, where early preparation and guided learning can make a significant difference.

Beyond financial assistance, scholarships instill a sense of confidence, responsibility, and ambition among students. They encourage young minds to dream big and work harder, fostering an ecosystem where talent is recognized and nurtured, irrespective of economic status.

As India steadily moves towards becoming a knowledge-driven economy, promoting scholarships for meritorious and financially weak students is crucial. By removing financial hurdles and unlocking opportunities, these initiatives help shape future doctors, engineers, administrators, and innovators who will contribute meaningfully to society.

In essence, scholarships are not just financial aid; they are catalysts of change, empowering young aspirants to turn their dreams into reality.

IMS, Noida Organizes Internal Hackathon

Noida, 20 September: Institute of Management Studies (IMS) Noida successfully organized an Internal Hackathon (Peace Code for Smart India Hackathon). The School of IT organized this two-day event, in which 20 teams with a total of 120 students participated.

IMS, Noida Organizes Internal Hackathon

On the initial day, the participants exhibited their coding and problem-solving abilities through solving real-time challenges in a high-intensity coding session. The second day was spent in project presentations and certificate distribution.

Prof. (Dr.) Vikas Dhawan, Director General, IMS Noida, stated that internal hackathons are a great platform to train students for international competitions. He said that these sorts of efforts encourage students to confront upcoming technological challenges and perform well at national platforms such as the Smart India Hackathon, along with improving teamwork, leadership, and innovative ideas.

Prof. (Dr.) Ajay Kumar Gupta, Head, School of IT, emphasized that the hackathon not only put to test technical skills but also collaboration, imagination, and self-esteem among students, which helped them deliver better in future Smart India Hackathon events. He expressed that awareness was brought towards programming and coding rounds on day one, while the second day was oriented towards innovative prototypes against problem statements of Smart India Hackathon.

Prof. (Dr.) Neelam Saxena, Dean, IMS Noida, stated that the Internal Hackathon is an excellent platform for students to express their technical abilities and look for solutions to everyday challenges. Dr. Anita Pati, Deputy HoD, reported that the event was successfully organized under the guidance of Dr. Jyoti Kumari Tripathi. Additional support was provided by Prof. Jitendra, Prof. Swecchandan, Prof. Anshushrav Mudgal, and some other faculty members.

Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders: Amity University Gurugram Promotes Global Peace Through Dialogue

Amity

Gurugram, 20 September 2025 — Amity University Gurugram’s Academic Staff College and Centre of Excellence for Innovation in Education, in collaboration with the Trajectories of Hope Foundation, hosted a Special Talk on “Perspectives on International Peace in Our Times.” The keynote address was delivered by Ms. Maja Groff, distinguished International Lawyer and Convenor of the Climate Governance Commission, The Hague, Netherlands.

The session served as a vibrant platform to examine the intersections of peace, sustainability, climate governance, and inclusive global cooperation issues central to international discourse and youth engagement.

Amity

Global Perspectives from The Hague

Ms. Groff, recognized for her work in international law and multilateral governance, delivered an insightful address on the urgent need to reimagine global institutions to meet contemporary challenges. She emphasized the importance of inclusive governance, climate justice and cross-border collaboration, calling upon young leaders to engage with international frameworks that promote equity, resilience and peace.
Reflecting on the work of the Climate Governance Commission, she underlined the need for legally sound, ethically driven and ecologically responsible systems, urging renewed commitment to multilateralism in the face of climate emergencies, geopolitical tensions and social fragmentation.

India’s Ethos of Global Harmony

Prof. (Dr.) P.B. Sharma, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of Amity University Gurugram, offered a perspective rooted in India’s civilizational wisdom. Prof Sharma highlighted the philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam “the world is one family” as a guiding principle for global peace and ethical leadership. Stressing the role of education in shaping global citizens, Prof. Sharma called for academic institutions to serve as beacons of peace, sustainability and human unity.

Collaborative Engagement with Civil Society

Mr. Anand Kartikeya, representing the Trajectories of Hope Foundation, underscored the role of civil society in advancing peace education and fostering inclusive leadership. He highlighted the Foundation’s work in youth empowerment and dialogue across cultures, reinforcing the importance of hope-driven narratives in divided times.

Academic Leadership and Opening Remarks

During her opening remarks Prof. (Dr.) Sanjna Vij, Deputy Director, Academic Staff College, Amity University Gurugram called for thoughtful dialogue, visionary leadership, and academic activism to address pressing global challenges. She emphasized the responsibility of educators to nurture critical thinking, empathy and global consciousness among students.

Student Engagement

A lively Q&A segment followed the keynote, with students engaging Ms. Groff on the evolving role of the United Nations, legal frameworks for international cooperation, strategies for resilient institutions and career pathways in international law and diplomacy. Their participation reflected deep interest in understanding how youth voices can influence global policy and governance.

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Key Takeaways

• Inclusive global frameworks must reflect diverse cultural and regional perspectives.
• Ecology, economy and governance are deeply interdependent.
• Peace and human unity are foundational to sustainable development.
• Academic institutions play a central role in nurturing ethical and globally engaged citizens.
This Special Talk reaffirmed Amity University Gurugram’s commitment to fostering global dialogue, academic excellence and youth empowerment aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and India’s vision for a Viksit Bharat 2047.

SP Jain Global Among Asia-Pacific’s 10 Leading B-Schools in Bloomberg 2025 Rankings

SP Jain Global ranked among Asia-Pacific’s Top 10 b-schools for third consecutive year in Bloomberg Businessweek’s 2025 rankings

Mumbai, 18 September 2025: Bloomberg Businessweek, renowned worldwide for its authoritative business news and analysis, has ranked S P Jain School of Global Management (SP Jain Global) 7th in the Asia-Pacific region in its 2025 Best B-Schools Rankings. This is the third consecutive year that SP Jain Global has been placed among the leading 10, underscoring the school’s consistency in delivering high-quality, future-focused business education.

The Bloomberg rankings draw on surveys of students, alumni, and corporate recruiters, and evaluate schools on career outcomes, classroom experience, alumni networks, entrepreneurial readiness, and long-term return on investment. They are widely regarded as one of the most respected benchmarks for management education. In the 2025 rankings, SP Jain Global also placed #5 in the Asia-Pacific for compensation, a clear measure of the strong ROI for its graduates and the school’s focus on preparing job-ready leaders.

“Being ranked in Bloomberg’s Asia-Pacific Top 10 for the third year in a row is both an honour and a responsibility,” said Nitish Jain, President of SP Jain Global. “It reflects the trust of our students, alumni, and recruiters, and validates the distinctiveness of our approach to management education.

We have always believed that the future of business will be shaped by uncertainty, disruption, and rapid change, and traditional approaches alone are not enough. Our programs are built around a unique multi-city model and a multimodal learning ecosystem, giving students the opportunity to study in some of the world’s most dynamic economies while also learning to harness AI as part of their education.

AI plays a pivotal role in helping students move beyond surface-level learning to higher-order thinking. It accelerates their progress from comprehension to analysis, problem-solving, and decision-making. In short, from knowing the answers to developing the judgment and foresight leaders need. Combined with the cultural and business exposure of our multi-city model, this ensures that graduates leave not only with a degree but with resilience, adaptability, and a truly global perspective. These are qualities employers value deeply today and which will define leadership in the years ahead.”

SP Jain Global’s recognition by Bloomberg Businessweek adds to a consistent track record of rankings by leading international publications such as QS, Forbes, Financial Times, The Economist, and Times Higher Education–Wall Street Journal. Together, these validations highlight the school’s standing in global business education and its role in shaping graduates who can thrive in diverse and fast-changing environments.

ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan Inaugurates Space Tech Startup OrbitAID’s New R&D Facility in Bengaluru

Bengaluru, India, 17th Sept’25 -– OrbitAID Aerospace, India’s first space-tech startup in the field of On-Orbit Servicing and Refueling (OOSR), today inaugurated its state-of-the-art Research and Development (R&D) facility spanning 6500 sq.ft in Bengaluru with an investment of over $2 million to extend the lifetime refueling services to current and upcoming satellites. 

L-R - Prof. BN Raghunandan (Rtd IISc Professor, he is the Guru for most of the ISRO chairman and scientist), Dr. V. Narayanan (DoS Secretary, ISRO Chairman), Mr. Sakthikumar

The R&D facility was officially opened by Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), who unveiled OrbitAID’s next chapter of innovation and growth in the upcoming years. This facility is India’s largest commercial and one of the world’s biggest for Rendezvous Proximity Operations & Docking (RPOD) infrastructure, for servicing and refueling operations. The facility consists of a high end control room for operating the RPOD facility, class 10000 cleanroom, and fuel transfer facilities for assembling and integrating its satellites. OrbitAID’s new R&D center represents a significant step in India’s journey towards space sustainability at a global stage after the success of ISRO’s SPADeX mission. 

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. V. Narayanan, Chairman, ISRO congratulated the OrbitAID team on their achievement and emphasized the importance of developing technologies such as docking & refueling interfaces and the significance of providing services such as life extension for satellites in shaping the future of India’s space ecosystem. He also spoke about how ISRO has recently opened up to private players in the space ecosystem & in the upcoming missions, ISRO will also invite companies specialising in On-Orbit Servicing and Refueling (OOSR) technologies to work with the organisation. 

Sakthikumar Ramachandran, Founder & CEO, OrbitAID, said, This facility begins a new story in OrbitAID’s journey in making India, the champion of space sustainability at a global stage. With this new development and our TRL 7 docking and refueling interface SIDRP, we are positioned to provide life extension services for the current and upcoming satellites in both Indian and global markets.”

OrbitAID, which raised initial funding earlier this year from Unicorn India Ventures, is also planning to expand its footprint in Tamil Nadu, where the company will establish a manufacturing facility to build India’s first private propellant handling and satellite servicing hub with an aim to build a circular economy for the global space tech ecosystem. The Company will strengthen collaborations with local universities, startups, and global partners.

Together, the Bengaluru facility and the upcoming Tamil Nadu expansion will serve as cornerstones for developing and validating critical subsystems, laying the foundation for OrbitAID’s future missions and India’s leadership in OOSR technologies. 

Bhaskar Majumdar, Managing Partner, Unicorn India Ventures, added, “We are proud to be one of the early backers of OrbitAID. They have demonstrated that audacious goals can be achieved without becoming a capital guzzling machine. The discipline and focus of the team has led them to open a state of the art R&D facility and to have it inaugurated by Dr Narayanan is just the encouragement and inspiration OrbitAID needed. We congratulate them and will continue to back Sakthi in his future expansion plans.”

The inauguration was also graced by the presence of His Excellency Achim Burkart, Consul General of Federal Republic of Germany, His Excellency  Mr. Giandomenico Milano, Consul General of the Italian Republic, His Excellency Beat Schmid, Deputy Consul General of the Swiss 

Federation, and Mr.Sivarajah Ramanathan from StartupTN and Shreya Ganesh from Unicorn India Ventures. Also, officials from ISRO, Indian Space Association (ISpA), defence officials, policymakers, academia, and executives from the space ecosystem were also present during the opening ceremony.