NEW DELHI — India is on track to launch its first Mars orbiter in November of this year, a senior scientist in charge of the mission says. The unmanned satellite, christened “Maangalyaan,” will study the thin Martian atmosphere to determine the existence and sustainability of life and focus on climate, geology, origin and evolution of the planet, the scientist at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) said Jan. 10.

NEW DEHLI — India’s armed forces will soon field advanced multi-caliber artillery guns as part of their modernization drive. The guns, being developed by a unit of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), will fulfill requirements of the Indian army for loading and firing both small and large munitions, DRDO chief V.K. Saraswat says. Each artillery gun will feature multiple barrels for loading and firing different sizes of shells.

Indian operator Jet Airways has formally acknowledged that it is in discussions with Etihad Airways about the sale of minority stake to the Abu Dhabi-based carrier. Although the companies have not finalized any provisions, “various structures are being explored by the legal and commercial teams,” says Jet Airways in a regulatory filing with the Bombay Stock Exchange. “Care [is] being taken to ensure that all regulatory requirements are fully complied with,” the Indian carrier adds.