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Aiming to bolster combat readiness within its ranks, the Army has decided to recast its physical fitness norms with new prospective guidelines for its personnel -- from Agniveers to topmost officers -- who will have to undergo and clear combined physical tests twice a year, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday. So far, officers and men up to the age of 50 had to clear two separate physical tests -- the battle physical efficiency test (BPET) and the physical proficiency test (PPT) every year. And, this meant that the senior-most officers were exempt by age factor. However, as per the revised norms that will come into effect from April 1, 2026, the age limit for the new tests has been raised to 60, they said. The new guidelines, thus, once in place, will apply to everyone from Agniveers to three-star army commanders. In the army, the two tests for individuals will be replaced by combined physical tests, to be held with a half-yearly frequency. "Physical fitness is paramo
India has tested an extended range anti-submarine rocket system that is expected to significantly enhance the Indian Navy's fire power. The user trials of Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR) have been successfully carried out from INS Kavaratti, officials said. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Defence Research Development Organisation, Indian Navy and the industry involved in development and trials of the system. "He has added that the successfully induction of this system will boost the striking power of the Indian Navy," Singh's office said on 'X'.
Legendary pacer James Anderson on Saturday announced that the first Test against the West Indies this summer will be his final appearance for England, bringing down the curtains on an illustrious career spanning over 20 years. Regarded as one of the greatest bowlers of all times, the 41-year-old is England's leading wicket-takers and is one of only three bowlers to take over 700 Test scalps. "Hi everyone. Just a note to say that the first Test of the summer at Lord's will be my last Test," Anderson wrote on his Instagram. "It's been an incredible 20 years representing my country, playing the game I've loved since I was a kid. I'm going to miss walking out for England so much. "But I know the time is right to step aside and let others realise their dreams just like I got to, because there is no greater feeling," he added. Anderson's announcement comes after England red-ball coach Brendon McCullum conveyed to the seamer that they are looking at the future, with an eye on the Ashes .
The flight acceptance hot test of the CE-20 cryogenic engine that will power the cryogenic upper stage of the launch vehicle for the Chandrayaan-3 mission was successfully conducted, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation. The hot test was carried out for a planned duration of 25 seconds at the High Altitude Test Facility of the ISRO Propulsion Complex at Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu on February 24, the Bengaluru-headquartered national space agency said. "All the propulsion parameters during the test were found satisfactory and closely matched with predictions," an ISRO statement said on Monday. The cryogenic engine will be further integrated with the propellant tanks, stage structures and associated fluid lines to realise the fully-integrated flight cryogenic stage, ISRO said. Earlier this year, Chandrayaan-3 lander successfully underwent EMI/EMC test at U R Rao Satellite Centre here. EMI-EMC (Electro - Magnetic Interference/ Electro - Magnetic Compatibility) test is .