Shri Sanjeev Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, was the Chief Guest at the launch. Also present were Senior Officers of GRSE, in addition to a large number of startups participating in the launch physically/ in hybrid mode.

Launched in 2023, GAINS is a National open innovation challenge conceptualised by GRSE to leverage the growing capabilities of India’s start-up, MSME and academic ecosystem to address present and emerging challenges in ship design and construction. Over the last three editions, the initiative has evolved into a sustained platform for collaboration between established shipbuilding expertise and emerging technology capabilities from across the country, with participation growing from 66 proposals in 2024 to over 100 proposals from Indian innovators in 2025, reflecting the increasing engagement of the country’s start-up, MSME and innovation ecosystem.

The initiative has also resulted in the identification and recognition of promising innovators across its three editions. The winners of GAINS 2023, the inaugural edition, were M/s Bodkin Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and M/s Smart Machine & Structures. The second edition, GAINS 2024, recognised IIT Guwahati Technology Innovation & Development Foundation (MSME) and M/s Cloudmetica Technologies (Start-up) as winners. In the third edition, GAINS 2025, M/s Widedrop Technologies and M/s Cloudmetica Technologies emerged as winners.

Over the successive editions, GAINS has explored emerging technologies and solutions across areas such as Artificial Intelligence, robotics, renewable and green energy, energy efficiency and technology-enabled enhancement of shipbuilding processes, enabling GRSE to engage with innovators and explore new approaches and technologies aimed at enhancing shipbuilding capabilities.

The fourth edition of GAINS aims to further strengthen GRSE’s engagement with the innovation ecosystem by encouraging start-ups, MSMEs, academia and innovators to develop fast-track, innovative solutions for emerging shipbuilding requirements and contribute towards building a future-ready shipyard. GAINS 2026 will focus on key areas including Artificial Intelligence (AI), renewable and green energy, energy efficiency, automation and overall efficiency enhancement. The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s emphasis on indigenous defence technologies and greater participation of start-ups and MSMEs, contributing to a technologically advanced, self-reliant and globally competitive Indian shipbuilding industry. Details of the challenge and participation are available on the GRSE website at www.grse.in/gains/.

Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary, Department of Defence Production was happy to note that GRSE has taken a lead to accelerate its pace across functions, using the advantage of AI & latest technologies through the unique scheme of GAINS. He appreciated that the GAINS model is not restrictive in its approach and uniquely engages with young vibrant startups of the country as well as the stalwarts in technology including the IITs of the nation.

Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, during the welcome address said, “Deeply proud that this initiative of the shipyard to leverage on potent capabilities of our startup ecosystem is a grand success and this 4th Edition of GAINS will be equally rewarding”.

The launch of GAINS 2026 comes at a significant juncture in GRSE’s journey. The shipyard was accorded Navratna status on 19 June 2026, marking an important milestone in its growth and reflecting its sustained performance, capabilities and contribution to India’s defence sector. The enhanced status further provides GRSE greater opportunities to pursue strategic investments, develop advanced capabilities and strengthen its engagement with the wider industrial and innovation ecosystem.

Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, hoisted the National Flag, followed by the inspection of an impressive guard of honour by CISF personnel. Among the others present were Cdr Shantanu Bose, IN (Retd.), Director (Shipbuilding), Capt (IN) P Sunilkumar (Retd.), Director (Corporate Planning & Personnel), Shri Niranjan Bhalerao, Director (Finance), Shri Abhishek Ranjan, IOFS, Chief Vigilance Officer, Shri V Vidhun, Commandant, CISF and senior officials from GRSE and CISF.

A key highlight of this year’s Independence Day celebrations was the unveiling of the new names of three GRSE shipbuilding units and the Design department, reflecting the shipyard’s commitment to honouring India’s rich heritage and distinguished national icons from West Bengal. The Main Works Unit was renamed as Rabindranath Tagore Shipyard, the RBD Unit as Rishi Bankim Shipyard and the FOJ Unit as Matangini Hazra Shipyard. The Central Design Office (CDO) was renamed as the Centre for Ship Design & Research. The new names were unveiled through a digital display during the Independence Day celebrations.

The renaming comes at a significant juncture in GRSE’s journey. With a legacy dating back to 1884, the Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence was accorded Navratna status by the Department of Public Enterprises, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, in June 2026. The recognition marks another important milestone in the shipyard’s journey and reflects its sustained performance, capabilities and contribution to the nation.

Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, reflected on the shipyard’s journey over the past year and highlighted its strong operational and financial performance, continued focus on self-reliance and indigenous capabilities, and the opportunities emerging from its growing presence in naval and commercial shipbuilding.

‘Independence Day reminds us that freedom comes with the responsibility to build a stronger, more self-reliant and future-ready nation. At GRSE, this responsibility is reflected in our unwavering commitment to indigenous shipbuilding and nation-building. Our elevation to Navratna status and strong performance in the first quarter of this financial year are a testament to the dedication of Team GRSE. The unveiling of new identities for our key facilities marks a new chapter that honours our rich heritage while reinforcing our focus on innovation, excellence and capability building. As we move forward, we remain committed to contributing to the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat and a maritime nation of global standing.”’, he said.

CMD, GRSE congratulated the GRSE and CISF teams for their participation in the Independence Day celebrations and appreciated their continued commitment towards the organisation and the nation.

Coming less than three months after the launch of Sanghmitra, the first NGOPV from GRSE, on 20 May 26, the occasion reflects the steady momentum achieved by GRSE in executing this prestigious programme.

GRSE is constructing four NGOPVs as part of the Indian Navy’s 11-ship NGOPV programme. The newly launched warship, named ‘Shruti’, was formally launched by Smt. Manika Sadhu, wife of Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, AVSM, NM, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition (CWP&A), Indian Navy, amidst traditional rituals and the chanting of Vedic shlokas. Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

The others present at the occasion were Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE along with Cdr Shantanu Bose, IN(Retd.), Director (Shipbuilding), Capt (IN) P Sunilkumar, (Retd.), Director (Corporate Planning & Personnel), Shri Niranjan Bhalerao, Director (Finance), Shri Abhishek Ranjan, IOFS, CVO and other senior officials of Indian Navy and GRSE.

The name ‘Shruti’ means “that which is heard”. In the Indian tradition, the term ‘Shruti’ is used to refer to the four Vedas, the ancient scriptures that have been preserved through oral tradition over generations and occupy a central place in India’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

The NGOPVs are significantly larger and more capable than the Offshore Patrol Vessels built earlier, offering enhanced endurance, firepower and operational versatility. Measuring about 113 metres in length and 14.6 metres in width, with a displacement of 3,000 Tons, they will achieve speeds of up to 23 knots and have an endurance of 8,500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 14 knots.

Designed for a wide range of maritime operations, the NGOPVs will undertake coastal and offshore asset protection, maritime interdiction, surveillance, VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure), mine warfare and special operations. They will also be deployed for Out of Area Contingency Operations, anti-piracy, counter-infiltration, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), search and rescue missions, besides supporting hospital, COMINT and fleet maintenance roles.

Vice Admiral Sadhu mentioned, “The Navy’s responsibility is not only to defend our national interests; it is also to ensure freedom of navigation, security of our sea lanes, and the uninterrupted flow of energy and essential goods to and from India. Over the last decade, thanks to the Government and its important policy initiatives, we have made remarkable progress in creating a vibrant and increasingly technologically advanced defence manufacturing and shipbuilding ecosystem. And in this journey, ladies and gentlemen, GRSE has occupied a very, very special place. In 1961, GRSE delivered INS Ajay to us. It was the first indigenously built platform. Since then, over the last several decades, the Indian Navy has received more than 110 warships from GRSE, while GRSE has built over 800 ships and platforms for the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, export customers and other countries. On account of all these accomplishments, GRSE was also accorded Navratna status in June 2026, which I think is a great honour and recognition of the consistent vision, hard work and steadfast commitment of its personnel, both past and present. The launch of Shruti today is yet another reflection of the professionalism, competence and commitment of Team GRSE.”

Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE, highlighted the expansion plans of the shipyard and its commitment to Atmanirbharta and self-reliance.

He also said, “Shruti, as she shall be named in a few moments from now, belongs to the Naval Ship of Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel project, of which four vessels are being constructed by GRSE. Unlike her predecessors, the Sukanya class OPVs or the indigenously built Saryu class OPVs, these ships are much larger, have much longer endurance and are packed with state-of-the-art equipment and sensors, not to mention a potent weapon fit. While the entire shipyard is brimming with activity, last year was an exciting year for us, when we delivered eight warships and launched one warship. This year shall be equally exciting, when we will deliver five warships and launch four vessels”.

The Notification of Award (NOA) was received by GRSE on 30 July 2026 for the design, construction and delivery of the vessels.

The order marks a significant diversification of GRSE’s shipbuilding portfolio and reinforces the shipyard’s growing presence in the commercial and offshore vessel segment. The project is expected to contribute substantially to India’s offshore energy infrastructure while further strengthening the nation’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.

The vessels will be designed and built-in accordance with the Rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and will incorporate advanced technologies to support offshore exploration and production activities. With an overall length of approximately 80 metres, beam of 20 metres, deadweight capacity of 3,000 tonnes, endurance of 45+3 days and a clear deck area of about 650 square metres, the vessels will be capable of undertaking a wide range of offshore logistics and support missions.

A key highlight of the vessels is the incorporation of an advanced hybrid propulsion architecture, featuring electrically driven azimuth thrusters and a Lithium-Ion Battery Energy Storage System. The battery system will support peak load management, spinning reserve, dynamic positioning operations and emergency response functions, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

With over six decades of shipbuilding excellence, GRSE has built and delivered more than 800 platforms, including 118 warships, to the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and friendly foreign countries. The latest order further expands GRSE’s footprint in the commercial and offshore vessel market and underscores its capability to deliver technologically advanced and environmentally sustainable maritime solutions.

The recognition highlights GRSE’s sustained efforts in integrating Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) into its shipbuilding ecosystem, thereby enhancing localisation and strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities. Through close collaboration with industry partners across the country, the Shipyard has expanded MSME participation in the construction of advanced warships and vessels for the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, Central & State government Organisations and friendly foreign nations.

This prestigious honour also reflects GRSE’s alignment with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of transforming India from “Local to Global” by fostering innovation, self-reliance and competitiveness within the domestic industrial ecosystem.

As one of India’s leading warship builders, GRSE has developed a robust vendor ecosystem that supports the design and construction of complex maritime platforms. The honour underscores the Shipyard’s continued commitment to building a resilient domestic supply chain and promoting wider participation of Indian industry in the nation’s defence production ecosystem.

This highlights the advances that GRSE has made in the field of green vessel technologies, reinforcing the shipyard’s capability to deliver technologically advanced platforms across defence and commercial segments.

The vessel, measuring 25 metres in length, with a beam of 8 metres shall be powered through batteries and will be capable of generating a static ahead bollard pull of 15 tonnes. Designed for harbour assistance and towing operations, the tug will have an endurance of two hours of continuous operation and a maximum speed of 9 knots.

Built to IACS classification standards, the vessel will incorporate advanced battery-propulsion technology significantly reducing emissions and contributing to cleaner port operations. The project is in line with the growing emphasis on decarbonisation and adoption of green technologies across the maritime sector.

GRSE has already delivered a zero-emission fully electric ferry to the Government of West Bengal and is now working on 13 hybrid ferries for the same customer. The shipyard is also working on 12 multi-purpose vessels for a German company, four of which will have green propulsion systems. GRSE is also in the advanced stages of concluding a prestigious contract for the construction of five Next Generation Corvettes.

GRSE has also built and delivered 118 warships to the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and friendly foreign nations, the highest number delivered by any shipyard in India. Backed by strong in-house design capabilities, modern shipbuilding infrastructure and extensive experience in building complex platforms, the shipyard continues to expand its footprint beyond defence shipbuilding into emerging sectors of the maritime industry.

The celebrations were marked by a collective yoga session at the Main Works Unit, where employees came together to observe this year’s theme, “Yoga for Healthy Ageing”. The programme was held in the august presence of Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.), Chairman & Managing Director, Cdr Shantanu Bose, IN (Retd.), Director (Shipbuilding), Capt (IN) P Sunilkumar (Retd.), Director (Corporate Planning & Personnel), Shri Niranjan Bhalerao, Director (Finance), Shri Abhishek Ranjan, IOFS, Chief Vigilance Officer and other senior officials of GRSE.

On the occasion, winners of the Yoga Competition organised for employees were felicitated for their enthusiastic participation and dedication to promoting fitness and well-being. The competition saw active participation from employees across departments, underscoring GRSE’s continued commitment to fostering a culture of health, wellness, and holistic development in the workplace.

In the lead-up to the celebrations, GRSE undertook several awareness initiatives to encourage participation among employees and stakeholders. The celebrations were also marked at the company’s DEP Unit in Ranchi, where employees joined in observing the occasion, underscoring GRSE’s organisation-wide commitment to fostering a culture of health and wellness. Special displays and informational banners highlighting the significance of yoga were put up across GRSE units, while awareness messages were disseminated through internal communication channels. The Company’s social media platforms also highlighted the significance of yoga and this year’s theme.

GRSE also actively promoted the Ministry of Ayush’s Yoga 365 campaign and encouraged participation in the nationwide Guinness World Record attempt for the Largest Yoga Session, supporting the national movement towards wellness, unity and healthy living. Information regarding these initiatives was shared with employees and other stakeholders through email communications and social media outreach.

Through these initiatives, GRSE continues to encourage its workforce to embrace yoga as a way of life, fostering resilience, harmony and enhanced well-being while contributing to a healthier and more productive workplace.

This was in recognition of the shipyard’s consistent financial and physical performance over the years.

GRSE’s financial performance over the last five years reflects its remarkable growth trajectory and operational excellence. The Company’s Revenue from Operations has grown from ₹1,754 crore in FY 2021-22 to ₹7,002 crore in FY 2025-26, registering an increase of nearly 300%. During the same period, Profit After Tax (PAT) has risen from ₹190 crore to ₹748 crore, reflecting a growth of nearly 294%.

A firm proponent of the Government ‘s Atmanirbharta and “Make in India” visions, the shipyard also delivered eight warships during the year, including three on the same day on March 30, 2026. These include P17A advanced guided-missile frigate Dunagiri, Sanshodhak, a Survey Vessel (Large) and Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft Agray.

Navratna status allows Public Sector Enterprises to make larger investments, enhancing their ability and expand operations.

The elevation to a Navratna status for GRSE comes at a time when the shipyard is in an expansion mode. It has embarked on a mission to increase capacity through both brownfield and greenfield projects.

Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE, expressed his gratitude to the Government for being accorded this status and said, “The conferment of Navratna status is a defining moment in GRSE’s journey and a matter of immense pride for every member of the GRSE family. This recognition reflects the confidence reposed in us and acknowledges the dedication, commitment and professionalism of our employees, past and present. This elevation will further empower us to pursue strategic opportunities, enhance self-reliance in defence manufacturing, strengthen our global competitiveness and contribute meaningfully towards the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and India’s emergence as a leading maritime power by 2047.”

GRSE has several firsts to its name. In 1961, barely a year after being declared a Defence Public Sector Undertaking, the shipyard delivered the country’s first indigenous warship, INS Ajay, to the Navy. GRSE is also the proud builder of first ever Indian Export Warship, CGS Barracuda for Govt of Mauritius and also the first DPSU shipyard to be listed in the stock exchanges.

While GRSE has delivered over 800 marine platforms, the shipyard has also delivered the largest number of warships to the Navy, Coast Guard & friendly foreign nations. The figure stands at 118. Of these, 80 have been inducted into the Navy.

GRSE has also made strides in the field of commercial shipbuilding and has bagged export orders. It is now building 12 multi-purpose vessels for a German client, in keeping with India’s ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ vision, also foraying into green and autonomous vessels. GRSE is the only shipyard with specialisation in research ships, thereby contributing significantly to maritime sovereignty.

The recognition marks GRSE’s third consecutive win at the Governance Now PSU IT Awards and highlights the organisation’s sustained focus on adopting advanced digital solutions across its operational and business domains. Earlier, GRSE had received the “Best Use of Emerging Technologies” Award in 2024, followed by the “Digital Transformation Excellence” Award in 2025.

The latest recognition underscores GRSE’s sustained efforts in leveraging advanced digital technologies to strengthen operational efficiency, optimize business processes and drive innovation across the organisation. The shipyard continues to align its digital transformation initiatives with the Government of India’s Digital India Vision, with focus on smart systems, automation, data-driven decision making and a future-ready workforce.