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13.5 Million Km, 80,000 Words: Shubhanshu Shukla Brings Space Down To Earth

For India's space programme, the book comes at a moment of rising ambition.

Maruti, Tata lead hatchback revival

For nearly a decade, India's carmakers chased the sport utility vehicle (SUV) dream.Higher margins, aspirational buyers and a growing appetite for larger vehicles pushed manufacturers to flood showrooms with sport utility vehicles and compact SUVs, steadily relegating hatchbacks — once the backbone of India's passenger vehicle market — to the sidelines.Also Read: Tata Motors PV launches next-gen Tiago from Rs 4.69 lakh, Tiago.ev from Rs 6.99 lakh with lifetime battery warrantyThe strategy worked. Utility vehicles now account for well over half of all passenger vehicle sales in India and contributed nearly two-thirds of the 4.3 million vehicles sold in FY25.But as economic pressures mount, vehicle prices climb and first-time buyers struggle to enter the market, India's biggest automakers are beginning to acknowledge a reality they may have overlooked: the country's next wave of growth could come from the very segment they left behind.From Maruti Suzuki's renewed commitment to entry-level cars to Tata Motors' ambitious reinvention of the Tiago, hatchbacks are once again finding themselves at the centre of boardroom conversations.Also Read: Small cars strike back: Maruti Suzuki bets on mass mobility while costs squeeze fourth quarter profitsAnd this time, carmakers are betting that small cars no longer have to feel small.The forgotten customerThe shift is being driven by a growing recognition that India's passenger vehicle market cannot rely indefinitely on premiumisation.While SUVs have transformed the industry's revenue mix, they have also pushed average vehicle prices steadily higher, making car ownership increasingly difficult for millions of households.Maruti Suzuki Chairman R. C. Bhargava recently signalled the company's intent to rebalance its portfolio."We are planning to develop both small cars and SUVs. The small car market is growing. India is a country where small cars have a long-term future," Bhargava said.The comments mark a notable shift in tone from an industry that spent years focusing on larger and more expensive vehicles.For Maruti, which built its dominance on models such as the Alto, WagonR and Swift, the renewed emphasis reflects confidence that affordability will remain central to India's mobility story."A large part of the population… need small cars" for basic mobility, Bhargava said.Industry analysts say the opportunity remains substantial."In the small cars segment, there is a much bigger conversion pool that carmakers can navigate. Hence, there is this renewed push towards small cars and that segment," said Hemal Thakkar, Senior Director, Crisil Intelligence."India is a price sensitive market and hence, small cars will stay and customers are looking for upgrades within vehicles. If carmakers can provide small cars with new features and upgrades, then there will be more customers for the small car space," he added.Making hatchbacks aspirational againIf Maruti is signalling a strategic return to small cars, Tata Motors is attempting something more ambitious — making hatchbacks desirable again.The company this week unveiled the next-generation Tiago and Tiago.ev, positioning them as technology-rich products aimed at reviving a segment many in the industry had effectively written off."Hatchbacks remain the gateway to personal mobility for millions of Indian families and yet, for far too long, this segment received scarce attention from the industry, when it genuinely deserved far more," said Shailesh Chandra, Managing Director and CEO, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles.Calling the new Tiago "not an evolution but a full reinvention", Chandra said the vehicle brings substantially upgraded design, connected technologies and safety features that were once largely reserved for more expensive categories.The next-generation Tiago gets a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless smartphone connectivity, a dual-screen dashboard, wireless charging and a segment-first 360-degree surround-view camera."The feeling of wow shouldn't be reserved for expensive cars," Chandra said."Today hatchback customers want far more than mobility, they want design, tech, safety and pride of ownership. A car they want to flaunt."The company has also positioned the Tiago.ev as an affordable electric mobility option, offering a lifetime battery warranty and fast-charging capability that can add up to 100 kilometres of range in 18 minutes."Tiago will make EV more accessible," Chandra said.Why affordability is back in focusThe renewed interest in hatchbacks comes as affordability re-emerges as a key concern across the industry.Vehicle prices have risen sharply in recent years because of stricter regulations, higher commodity costs and the addition of new safety and technology features.That has increasingly pushed first-time buyers out of the market.According to Srikumar Krishnamurthy, Senior Vice President and Co-Group Head, Corporate Ratings, ICRA Limited, hatchbacks continue to play a critical role in expanding the customer base."Hatchbacks remain a preferred segment, particularly for first-time buyers and households seeking a second vehicle, as affordability and comfort are key purchase considerations," he said."From an original equipment perspective, a presence across segments also helps improve reach, especially in Tier 2/3 cities."Krishnamurthy added that rising vehicle costs are forcing manufacturers to revisit their entry-level offerings."With input costs rising and vehicle prices expected to increase further, affordability is becoming even more important, especially in the mass-market segment. In response, OEs are looking to reposition entry-level hatchbacks and compact SUVs through new launches and refreshed variants that offer a stronger value proposition to consumers."Beyond SUVsThe industry's renewed focus on hatchbacks does not mean SUVs are going away.Far from it.Utility vehicles remain India's dominant passenger vehicle category and continue to drive growth and profitability for manufacturers.What is changing, however, is the recognition that growth cannot come solely from moving customers up the value chain.To sustain volumes, carmakers need to bring new buyers into the market.That is especially important as India adds millions of young consumers entering the workforce, many of whom are seeking their first personal vehicle but remain highly sensitive to price.Affordable electric hatchbacks could further strengthen the segment's appeal in coming years."Affordable EV hatchbacks could become an attractive proposition as charging infrastructure improves, range-anxiety concerns ease, and the financing environment becomes more supportive," Krishnamurthy said.For much of the past decade, India's hatchbacks were treated as yesterday's story while SUVs became the industry's obsession.Now, as automakers search for their next growth engine, the segment that once put millions of Indians behind the wheel is beginning to look relevant again.The future of India's auto market may still be taller, bolder and SUV-shaped. But increasingly, carmakers are recognising that the road to scale may once again begin with a hatchback.

How US immigration policy change may 'trouble' Apple, Google, OpenAI & other tech giants

A significant shift is underway in the AI race, with top Chinese scientists returning home from the US. Tightening American immigration policies and China's substantial investments in research and incentives are luring elite talent back. This exodus brings valuable AI expertise, including the pursuit of Artificial General Intelligence, to Chinese tech giants, potentially reshaping the global AI landscape.

Opinion: Opinion | Partnerships That Deliver: India And Denmark's Collaboration On Environment In Action

At its core, the India and Denmark partnership is not organised around projects, but around systems thinking. It brings together Denmark's experience of managing water as a regulated, efficiency-driven public service with India's scale and urgency of

Think India Has Just One Monsoon? Here's What Actually Brings The Rain — And When

Most Indians simply call it the monsoon, but several seasonal wind systems influence rainfall across the country. Here's how each one shapes the weather

Friday OTT releases this week (June 1 - 5): Madhuri Dixit's 'Maa Behen', Karisma Kapoor's 'Brown', 'Euphoria' Season 3 finale and more

The first week of June is packed with exciting OTT releases. Madhuri Dixit returns with dark comedy 'Maa Behen', Karisma Kapoor makes her OTT comeback with 'Brown', 'Euphoria' wraps its third season, and 'Gullak 5' brings back the beloved Mishra family, among many more releases.

Heavy rain lashes Karimnagar, brings temporary relief from blistering heat

Policy on B&B was drafted in 2007, Delhi fire horror brings it under scrutiny

Policy on B&B was drafted in 2007, Delhi fire horror brings it under scrutiny

Heavy rain brings relief in Delhi-NCR; IMD sounds 'red alert' for thunderstorm

Delhi-NCR experienced relief from warm and humid weather as light rain arrived, accompanied by a red alert from the IMD forecasting thunderstorms and gusty winds up to 70 kmph. Residents were advised to follow disaster management guidelines due to the possibility of hail at isolated spots.

Mumbai rains begin: Heavy rainfall brings relief and disruption as netizens share waterlogging complaints

Heavy rain lashes Mumbai on Wednesday morning. While many celebrated the rains, a few residents flag waterlogging in several areas, including Andheri, DN Nagar and more.

Kangana Ranaut backs Ranveer Singh amid FWICE ban over ‘Don 3’ row

Ranveer Singh faces a ban from FWICE and IMPPA following a dispute with producer-director Farhan Akhtar over 'Don 3'. Kangana Ranaut has voiced support for Singh, drawing parallels to her own experiences with industry bans and asserting that increased status often brings adversaries. She believes Singh will overcome these challenges, comparing it to her own successful career despite obstacles.

L&T, Bharti discuss Assam growth with Sarma

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday held separate meetings with senior leaders of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and Bharti Enterprises to review ongoing projects and discuss future investments in the state.The Chief Minister said he met S.N. Subrahmanyan, Chairman and Managing Director of Larsen & Toubro, at his official residence and reviewed the progress of various projects being executed by the engineering and infrastructure major in Assam."We discussed the various projects that L&T is undertaking in Assam and the roadmap for their timely completion," Sarma said in a post on X.Later in the day, the Chief Minister also held discussions with Rajan Bharti Mittal, Vice Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, at his official residence, focusing on the group's expansion plans in Assam, particularly in the telecommunications sector."We discussed the group's expansion plans in Assam, with a specific focus on covering dark areas so that more people can benefit from proper phone and internet connectivity," Sarma said.The meetings underline the Assam government's continued engagement with leading corporate groups to accelerate infrastructure development and improve digital connectivity across the state, especially in underserved regions.Sarma also congratulated Dr Ashok Lahiri on his recent appointment as Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog and expressed the state's commitment to strengthening its partnership with the national policy think tank.Sharing details of his meeting with Lahiri in the national capital, Sarma said the newly appointed Vice Chairman "brings with him extensive experience in public policy and finance", highlighting the expertise he is expected to bring to NITI Aayog's policymaking and reform agenda.The Chief Minister noted that the Assam government is keen to deepen its engagement with NITI Aayog in implementing reforms and development policies."The Assam government aims to deepen its partnership with NITI Aayog in implementing reforms and policies that will improve the ease of living of our people," Sarma said in a post on X after the meeting.The interaction comes as Assam continues to pursue governance reforms, infrastructure development and welfare initiatives with support from central institutions. Officials believe closer collaboration with NITI Aayog will help accelerate policy implementation and improve outcomes across key sectors.

Vietnam brings in health declaration rule

Foreign travellers entering, leaving, or transiting through Vietnam will be required to submit a health declaration before travel from July 1, 2026, under new government regulations aimed at monitoring infectious disease risks. According to a report by Fragomen, the expanded requirement will apply to all travellers entering, departing from, or transiting through Vietnam. Individuals will need to complete a health declaration within seven days before their travel date. The Vietnamese Ministry of Health will decide when and for which infectious diseases the requirement will be enforced. The decision will be based on global disease trends and the risk of diseases being imported into the country. Authorities have not yet announced how travellers will submit the declaration. Details about the platform and application process are expected in future guidance. Employers and travellers should prepare for possible delays when the new system is introduced, as authorities and passengers adjust to the requirement, as per Fragomen report.129876802New travel requirement follows Ho Chi Minh City airport trial Foreign nationals arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City have already been subject to a similar requirement since April 21, 2026. Under the pilot programme, travellers must complete an online declaration form within three days before arrival. Immigration processing delays were expected through the end of April as authorities and passengers adjusted to the new system.Vietnam introduced the digital arrival card system to streamline arrival procedures and reduce waiting times at immigration counters as part of broader efforts to modernise border management and digitise entry processes.

With 5 judge appointments, SC's strength increases to 37

The Law Ministry has appointed five new judges to the Supreme Court. This brings the total strength of the apex court to 37, including the Chief Justice of India. The new judges will take their oath on Tuesday. This appointment fills most of the vacancies after the sanctioned strength was recently increased. The Supreme Court now has one vacancy remaining.

Dembele brings PSG's Champions League trophy to French Open - Watch

Delhi may see light rain again as dip in temperature brings respite from heat | Check IMD forecast

The same forecast has also been released for other parts of the NCR, including Haryana's Gurugram and Faridabad, as well as Uttar Pradesh’s Noida and Ghaziabad.

Delhi on IMD red alert for severe thunder, dust storm; rain brings relief

Delhi on IMD red alert for severe thunder, dust storm, rain brings relief

Fitness buff Vice Admiral K Swaminathan brings marathon discipline to Navy top job

Fitness buff Vice Admiral K Swaminathan brings marathon discipline to Navy top job

Xiaomi brings in South Asia head to revive Indian ops

Unusual summer pollution spike highlights Aravallis’ diminished role as dust barrier

The spike in pollution brings back into focus the destruction of the Aravalli ranges, which for centuries acted as a natural barrier.