Tim Cook wrote a winning recipe for AppleWill it work for his successor? Published on: Apr 26, 2026 3:43 PM IST The Economist Share via Copy link SOMETIMES A COMPANY encapsulates its times. Ford and its Model T captured the go-getting mood of the Roaring Twenties
Dressed in a black tuxedo just hours after he was at the centre of yet another major security incident, US President Donald Trump told reporters: "I can't imagine that there's any profession that is more dangerous." While a small army of Secret Service agents make the president arguably the world's
There’s a flavour movement quietly brewing in Indian kitchens and it isn’t smoky or spicy, but umami. Once considered a foreign concept, Indian chefs are now tapping into the country’s own rich legacy of umami-forward ingredients and techniques to reimagine comfort food for a cleaner, deeper
Violence erupted in West Bengal's Howrah and Haroa districts before the second phase of polling. Clashes between Trinamool Congress and BJP supporters occurred in Howrah. In Haroa, a police sub-inspector was injured during a confrontation between Trinamool Congress and Indian Secular Front
Mann Ki Baat: PM Modi praises Great Indian Bustard conservationPopulation of Great Indian Bustard has declined to fewer than 200 individuals, with the majority found in Rajasthan Published on: Apr 26, 2026 5:31 PM IST By Vijay Mathrani, Barmer/Jaisalmer Share via Copy link Prime Minister Narendra
ET Roundtable: 'PSLV glitches not linked, will be fixed; India's first-time success record strong,' says Jitendra Singh
Minister Jitendra Singh outlines India's nuclear ambitions under the SHANTI Act, emphasizing private sector involvement and safeguards. He addresses ISRO's launch delays, stating issues are being fixed before future missions. Singh also discusses the evolving geopolitical landscape and technological advancements driving these initiatives.
Minister of state for Departments of Atomic Energy, Space, S&T, PMO and Personnel Training, Jitendra Singh discusses at the ET Roundtable India's nuclear ambitions in the SHANTI Bill era. Says ISRO's recent PSLV incidents and future launches will be planned after issues are 'fixed'.
Excerpts:
What is the roadmap for the SHANTI Act?
The process of making rules to the Act has begun but we are taking time given that this is going to change the entire format of our nuclear energy-related activity - opening up to private and non-government sectors and agencies. The new framework is going to be more accommodating while not compromising on the essential safeguards. We have to take into consideration the expectations of stakeholders who are going to partner with us. It has to be carried forward diligently to target the expected outcomes. I don't think it will be fair to tie initiatives of this scale down to a tight time frame. Still, we might come out with the rules not later than 2-3 months or so.How has the private sector responded to the SHANTI Act?
There is good response from the private sector and from foreign collaborators. When the US Secretary of State was holding parleys with our minister of external affairs recently, he talked more about the SHANTI Act than about anything else. That was flattering to hear.Will we see changes in the FDI format for nuclear power?
We are working on that but I think, we will be guided by the framework which already exists. We cannot have something totally different from what is in place after due deliberation. But if some specificity is to be infused, we will do that.Nuclear power is more costly than solar and thermal power and foreign technologies even more so. Who is going to buy such expensive power?
I agree that it is expensive. Initially, the quantum of generation is lesser. As we upscale, the cost is going to come down. To pursue this is no longer a choice for many reasons. The world is moving to clean energy, we can't be left behind. When we talk of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, geopolitically, we have to seek our own source. Currently, we depend on petroleum fuel which is largely imported. Even countries which export petroleum are moving out of that sector because they are foreseeing a virtual closure of their business happening through that sector. For certain tasks you have to bring in nuclear energy because it is a 24X7 uninterrupted source of energy which is not always the case with renewable energy. All decisions are motivated by these facts. Currently, light water reactors are costly - almost double of PHWR - because most of the equipment is from other countries. One of the unwritten motivations behind opening up to private players is that the investment comes in a bigger field and we start developing domestically. Then, the cost will come down dramatically.How does BJP justify revising its position - from opposing the Indo-US nuclear deal in 2008 to now bringing in the SHANTI Act?
A lot has changed in 18 years. There is significant technology change - it is now much more sophisticated and more secure. Even the structure and sizing of reactors have changed. Geopolitical conditions have changed and the economy is opening up. In the changed milieu, it is not actually going back on a decision. It's a re-look at things which will happen. After a couple of years or a decade, we might look into other aspects because it is a dynamically changing sector. For example, that time you didn't have small module reactors and clean energy concerns were just beginning.
What about the liability question? It was BJP's Opposition then that led to bringing the supplier liability link up in the CLNDA which deterred investors from coming to India.
It seems it has been totally compromised (in SHANTI Act), which is not so. The operator is free to engage in an agreement with the supplier, the government will be out of it. At his level, the operator can do that. There are many ancillary activities and factors that the government should not have to handle.ISRO's PSLV-linked failures have raised questions. Are the failure reasons similar for the May 2025 and January 2026 cases? What about future launches?
It will be wrong to conclude that the same lapse has happened. What seems to be the issue is not the same as last year's. That has been fixed and something else came up. We are looking into that. We already have an SOP in place. We have a failure redressal committee which is already working on it. We don't take it as a failure because the number of first-time successes that India has had, on an average, would be higher than possibly the US - whether it's Mangalyaan or Chandrayaan. But, we will plug the lapses. Regarding new PSLV launches, no, not yet. We have to fix the issues.Do you think this incident has hit India's credibility as a cost efficient, non-service provider of small satellite launches?
No, I think some sections of the media have made it out to be like that. We still have so many foreign satellites waiting to launch from that. Some new countries are showing interest.Gaganyaan un-crewed mission was to happen in early 2026 ahead of the human space flight of 2027. Is it on track?
It has to happen ahead of the actual human flight but I'm not sure whether it'll happen in the beginning of 2026. It might go over to the second half, or the third or last quarter. It was delayed for many reasons. It was planned for the 75th year of Independence. But, in voyages, this can happen because there can be so many imponderables. The other launches planned for the calendar also began to happen. If I miss this Wednesday, I can't be picking up next Wednesday because like marriages, it is decided in heaven. We have to keep in mind the configuration, the position of the planets and the universal setup. Before the human mission, we have several different components and test flights. So, sending up a human being is important but safe return is more important, which will involve a whole of government approach involving many entities. So, we are doing it cautiously.Are we not losing pace on several fronts keeping both sovereign needs and fast-growing technology and data centre requirements?
Certainly, we have to move on with a reasonable pace and many amendments made in the last 5-6 years is motivated by that sense. Most of the time, when we talk about space we keep talking about satellites, rockets, humans in space, because that sounds very romantic. What India should boast of is the role model we created for other countries and use of space technology for ease of living - from Gatishakti to telemedicine to Swamitva. That is something which gets underreported.In the National Quantum Mission, in the first cohort, only eight startups were given funding. Only three of them have got going. Also, what is the progress on the ₹1 lakh crore RDI fund launched last year to boost startups?
To be honest even the private sector has been taken by surprise. They never thought that we would suddenly open up the nuclear sector or the space sector or we would be launching the National Quantum Mission. We are among the 4-5 countries in the world, which have an exclusive dedicated National Quantum Mission. On RDI, I think the first lot will take off by this month end, which could be ₹4,000-5,000 crore.In your home state J&K, people are celebrating the closure of a medical college.
I can't say much on this. It is handled by the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and it is being headed by the Lieutenant Governor.There is a growing demand for a separate Jammu state. Some BJP leaders and the Congress are demanding it.
I am a worker of an organisation I belong to and it is not part of the BJP's official line.What about expanding lateral entry and the Opposition's demand for reservations in it?
More than 40 officials entered the government through lateral entry. The government is open to suggestions on how reservation can be implemented in lateral entry in a feasible manner.Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
Source: EconomicTimes
Related Posts: Union Minister Jitendra Singh congratulates ISRO on successful completion of IADT-02 test for Gaganyaan North Korea says Japan's nuclear ambitions must be stopped 'at any cost' Jitendra Kumar And Mahvash To Star In Remo D’Souza-Presented Romantic Comedy Tedhi Hain Par Meri Hain Union budget 2026 supercharges India’s sporting ambitions through Khelo India Mission AMD bets big on India’s AI ambitions with Helios I have no political ambitions Tether retreats from $20 billon funding ambitions after investor pushback Trump's Greenland Ambitions Why The Disgraced Financier Still Haunts Trump's Ambitions Pakistan’s BRI ambitions face a Chinese wall
The sacred fast of Mohini Ekadashi will be observed on Monday, April 27, 2026, by devotees of Lord Vishnu across India. This auspicious Ekadashi is believed to cleanse sins and grant spiritual upliftment, with devotees also seeking blessings from Goddess Lakshmi
1 hours ago
The Mexican government says two US agents who died last weekend in a car crash had not been authorised to operate in the country. The officials, who reportedly worked for the CIA, had taken part in a raid on suspected drug labs in the northern state of Chihuahua before their vehicle skidded off a
1 hours ago
Perhaps clay hasn’t been kind to him this time. But Carlos Alcaraz is already looking ahead. In a significant blow to the clay-court season, the World No. 2 has officially withdrawn from the French Open due to a wrist injury sustained during the opening round of the Barcelona Open
1 hours ago
![Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 26 (ANI): Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad played a lone hand with a resilient unbeaten 74 as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) managed to](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/gaikwads-gritty-74-leads-csk-to-158-vs-gt-after-rabadas-3-fer.webp?height=520)
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 26 (ANI): Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad played a lone hand with a resilient unbeaten 74 as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) managed to post a competitive 158/7 against Gujarat Titans (GT) at Chepauk in their Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 match on Sunday
1 hours ago
Sri Lanka is seeking investors for Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport. The airport has been a financial drain since opening in 2013. A previous lease agreement with an Indo-Russian venture did not materialize. The government highlights the airport's potential for tourism and strategic
1 hours ago
From screen time to sleep: 6 everyday habits that may be fuelling your stressStress doesn’t develop all of a sudden. Certain daily habits can quietly accelerate it without you even realising. Here are the habits to watch out for. Published on: Apr 26
1 hours ago
On an August day in 2013, WhatsApp, the messaging app now owned by Meta, made an announcement. With relatively little fanfare, they revealed the voice note, the messaging feature that lets you send a clip of your own voice to friends and family
1 hours ago
Senior AAP leader Sanjay Singh refutes reports of Punjab MLAs being in touch with Raghav Chadha. He labels these claims as misinformation spread by the BJP. Protests are ongoing in Punjab against Chadha and other Rajya Sabha MPs who joined the BJP
1 hours ago
An Indian government notification on April 17 tapped ethanol to make Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Aviation has been hard to decarbonise because aircraft can’t use batteries or hydrogen at commercial scale yet, leaving SAF to be the primary way to comply with international emissions frameworks
1 hours ago
Did you know soluble fibre intake can help with irritable bowel syndrome? Maryland doctor explainsAdding more soluble fibre to the daily diet can help manage IBS symptoms better. Dr Kunal Sood explains how. Published on: Apr 26, 2026 5:43 PM IST By Debapriya Bhattacharya Share via Copy link
1 hours ago
I am an educator committed to nurturing critical thinking among learners and strengthening social cohesion in our diverse nation. The Hindu Education Plus / education / school / teaching and learning / teachers / language / English / Hindi / university / universities and colleges / careers /
1 hours ago
Dhanush recalls being mocked for his physique, says Polladhavan turned things around: ‘I got claps for my body’Dhanush showed off his six-pack abs during a pivotal scene in Polladhavan. The film was released in 2007. Apr 26, 2026, 17:33:02 IST By Santanu Das Share via Copy link Dhanush is
1 hours ago
NTA to issue NEET UG 2026 admit cards today. Step-by-step guide to check websiteNEET UG Admit Card 2026: Candidates are required to carry a valid original ID proof, since entry will not be allowed without an ID proof. Updated on: Apr 26, 2026 1:21 PM IST By HT News Desk Share via Copy link The
1 hours ago
Double Dhamaal: From Toxic to Ramayana, upcoming Indian films starring actors in two rolesThese upcoming films promise double the fun with! Published on: Apr 26, 2026 5:31 PM IST By Mahima Pandey Share via Copy link Double roles and dual roles are a popular and much-loved trope in Indian cinema
1 hours ago
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (April 26, 2026), expressed relief over the safety of U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump. U.S. Secret Service agents bundled the U.S. President from the stage as shots rang out Saturday (April 25, 2026) evening at a media gala
1 hours ago
Signal, an end-to-end encrypted messaging app long considered one of the most secure in the world, has recently faced attacks from hackers accused of links to Russia.Top German officials on Saturday blamed Moscow-backed groups for phishing attacks targeting senior politicians on the messaging app
1 hours ago
In a major setback for Indian solar photovoltaic manufacturers, the US has announced to impose a 123 per cent anti-dumping duty on solar imports, which will badly hurt their businesses. Following the investigation, the US Department of Commerce (DoC) has concluded that solar cells imported from
1 hours ago
How to think about foreign policy in the new geoeconomic eraMiddle powers need to tread skilfully around the biggest blocs, writes Yvette Cooper Published on: Apr 26, 2026 3:46 PM IST The Economist Share via Copy link WITH EVERY day of disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, the economic damage mounts
1 hours ago
Chennai, Apr 26 (PTI) Scoreboard of IPL match between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans here on Sunday. Chennai Super Kings: Sanju Samson c Buttler b Rabada 11 Ruturaj Gaikwad not out 74 Urvil Patel c Holder b Rabada 4 Sarfaraz Khan c Buttler b Mohammed Siraj 0 Dewald Brevis c Shubman Gill b
1 hours ago
PM Modi in Mann Ki Baat said that ongoing Census exercise is not just a government task but a responsibility of all citizens and participation of everyone is vital. PM Modi’s Mann Ki Baat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted India’s growing achievements across sectors ranging
1 hours ago
Police in Kolkata found approximately 100 crude bombs at a residence in Bhangar. The house belonged to an individual reportedly affiliated with the TMC. This discovery occurred just days before the second phase of the West Bengal assembly elections
1 hours ago
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and discussed the evolving regional situation. During the telephonic conversation on Saturday (April 25, 2026) evening, which coincided with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's visit to Islamabad
1 hours ago
The man arrested after shots were fired inside the hotel where the White House Correspondents' Dinner was being held on Saturday night has been named to the BBC's US news partner CBS by law enforcement sources as Cole Tomas Allen. The 31-year-old suspect is from Torrance in the Los Angeles region
1 hours ago
Can Raghav Chadha, others lose RS seats over BJP merger? AAP seeks their removal amid legal complexitiesSeven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs exited the party on Friday and merged with the BJP, citing the 2/3rds exception to the Anti-Defection Law. Updated on: Apr 26
1 hours ago
People in the UK could face higher energy, food, and flight ticket prices for at least eight months after the end of the US-Israel war with Iran, a senior minister has said. Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, told the BBC the government was "looking at all of those things" as it
1 hours ago
Srinagar Khel Sankalp document outlines national vision to strengthen sports cultureSrinagar Khel Sankalp document outlines national vision to strengthen sports culture Updated on: Apr 26, 2026 4:38 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link Srinagar, Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Sunday released
1 hours ago
Dhoni isn’t part of the Chennai unit for the game against GT, amid reports that he does not want to meddle with the team composition that seems to be working. Chennai Super Kings take on Gujarat Titans at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday in a blockbuster encounter between the sides
1 hours ago
