General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - February 2017

Feb 2017

Jul 23, 2026

Paras Semiconductors to build greenfield OSAT facility in Madhya Pradesh

Paras Semiconductors announced plans to establish a greenfield Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test facility in the Indore–Ujjain region of Madhya Pradesh. The project involves an investment of about Rs. 6,200 crore and will focus on advanced semiconductor packaging, chiplet integration and wafer bumping. The facility aims to strengthen India’s domestic semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem, create skilled jobs and improve supply-chain resilience. The development aligns with government efforts to expand electronics manufacturing capacity and attract global investment. Construction and commissioning timelines were not disclosed, but the project is expected to contribute to India’s broader techno-economic goals.

Greenfield OSAT facility planned in Indore–Ujjain region, MP.
Investment around Rs. 6,200 crore.
Focus areas: advanced packaging, chiplet integration, wafer bumping.
Aims to boost India’s domestic semiconductor ecosystem.

Jul 22, 2026

BRICS geospatial meeting at IIT Tirupati; focus on AI and climate resilience

IIT Tirupati hosted the fifth BRICS Working Group on Geospatial Technologies and its Applications in July 2026. The three-day meeting took place at the Yerpedu campus and was organized by the Department of Science and Technology. Delegates from BRICS member and partner countries participated in hybrid mode. Discussions covered climate resilience, navigation technologies, AI-based geospatial analytics, and data interoperability. The event underscored India's role in geospatial science, data governance, and cross-border collaboration for sustainable development. Participants highlighted real-time mapping for agriculture, disaster management, and infrastructure planning across BRICS nations.

IIT Tirupati hosted BRICS Working Group on Geospatial Technologies (3 days, July 2026).
Event organized by India’s Department of Science and Technology; Yerpedu campus.
Participants from BRICS and partner countries; hybrid participation.
Topics included climate resilience, navigation tech, AI analytics, data interoperability.
Emphasized geospatial governance and cross-border collaboration.

First utility-scale 100 MWh Vanadium Redox Flow Battery planned for Khavda

India approved its first utility-scale 100 MWh Vanadium Redox Flow Battery Energy Storage System for deployment at Khavda Solar Park in Gujarat. NTPC Renewable Energy Limited awarded the contract for the project in July 2026. The battery system is expected to support large-scale renewable energy storage, enhancing grid stability and peak-power management. Deployment is scheduled for 2027, with long-term operations and maintenance services. The project is part of India's push to diversify storage technologies, enabling higher renewable integration, reduced curtailment, and improved energy security. The storage facility will include advanced safety and monitoring systems, with potential export of expertise to other states for domestic and regional markets.

First utility-scale 100 MWh vanadium redox flow storage in India.
Location: Khavda Solar Park, Gujarat; contract awarded by NTPC RE Limited in July 2026.
Deployment planned for 2027; aims to bolster grid stability with large-scale storage.
Part of broader storage diversification for higher renewable integration.
Includes advanced safety/monitoring; potential regional knowledge export.

Jul 21, 2026

India excels at IChO 58th in Tashkent with four golds

The 58th International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) was held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where India delivered its best-ever performance. Indian participants secured four gold medals, tying for first place globally with China and Vietnam. A Russian participant also won a gold medal, contributing to a high-scoring field of 363 participants from 93 countries. The achievement highlights India's growing strength in science education and competitive chemistry on the world stage, reflecting targeted training programs and youth science outreach across the Indian education system.

India won four gold medals at IChO 58th in Tashkent.
India tied for first with China and Vietnam.
Total participants: 363 from 93 countries.
Demonstrates strength of India's science education and training.

Jul 20, 2026

Vikram-1 reaches orbit; India’s first private orbital flight succeeds

Vikram-1, India's first privately developed orbital rocket, successfully reached orbit on 18 July 2026 from Sriharikota. Mission Aagaman deployed multiple payloads into a 450 km low Earth orbit. The successful flight marks a landmark for private space activity in India and demonstrates the regulatory readiness of the sector. Ground controllers reported a smooth ascent and a nominal mission trajectory. The achievement is expected to accelerate private participation, stimulate domestic space industry, and expand commercial opportunities in satellite services and related technologies.

Date: 18 July 2026
Orbit: ~450 km LEO
Milestone: first private orbital flight
Industry impact: fuel private participation
Regulatory support: IN-SPACe

37th International Biology Olympiad 2026: India wins medals

The 37th International Biology Olympiad was held in Vilnius, Lithuania from 12 to 19 July 2026. India achieved a strong result with one gold and three silver medals. The Olympiad gathers top high school students for challenging theoretical and practical biology tests. Lithuania hosted the event, showcasing scientific exchange and talent. India's success aligns with a national emphasis on science education and student excellence, reinforcing a pipeline of future researchers and innovators.

Event dates: 12–19 July 2026
Host country: Lithuania (Vilnius)
India medals: 1 gold, 3 silver
Focus: theory and practical biology
Significance: supports science education and talent development

Vikram-1 Mission Aagaman: India’s first private orbital rocket reaches orbit

Vikram-1, India’s first privately developed orbital rocket, achieved orbit on 18 July 2026 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. The maiden flight, Mission Aagaman, carried multiple payloads and placed them in a low Earth orbit at about 450 kilometres. The mission marks a milestone for India’s growing private space sector with regulatory support from IN-SPACe. Ground teams reported a nominal ascent, successful payload deployment, and a stable final orbit. The achievement could accelerate private participation in space activities and stimulate technology transfer and commercial opportunities for Indian industry.

Launch site: Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota
Date: 18 July 2026
Orbital altitude: ~450 km (LEO)
Milestone for private Indian space sector
Regulatory framework: IN-SPACe involvement

Jul 17, 2026

Norway’s Rogfast Undersea Tunnel to Be World’s Longest

Norway's Rogfast undersea road tunnel is projected to become the world's longest and deepest when completed. The nearly 27‑kilometre tunnel will run beneath the Boknafjord and reach depths around 392 metres below sea level. It is part of the E39 coastal highway project and aims to replace ferry segments along the route. The project demonstrates advanced tunneling techniques and significant civil engineering effort, with completion targeted around 2033. The Rogfast tunnel is designed to improve coastal connectivity, reduce travel times, and enhance disaster resilience and freight efficiency in coastal Norway.

Rogfast undersea tunnel to become longest/deepest
Nearly 27 km long; depth ~392 metres
Part of Norway’s E39 coastal highway project
Aims to replace ferry segments and boost connectivity
Target completion around 2033

S. Somanath Joins Agnikul Cosmos as Board Observer

Former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath has joined Chennai-based private space startup Agnikul Cosmos as an observer on its Board of Directors. The appointment aims to leverage his strategic insights as Agnikul advances its launch programmes. Agnikul is preparing Mission 02, which seeks to demonstrate orbital-class booster recovery and the use of a rocket upper stage as an in‑orbit platform. The move underscores greater collaboration between India’s public space heritage and private space enterprises. Somanath’s leadership at ISRO, including program development, safety, and policy initiatives, is expected to inform governance, risk management, and roadmap alignment for Agnikul. The industry views this as a sign of a maturing private space ecosystem in India.

Somanath appointed as observer on Agnikul Cosmos Board
Mission 02 targets orbital-class booster recovery
Rocket upper stage to serve as an in‑orbit platform
Indicates strengthened public‑private space collaboration
Somanath’s ISRO experience to guide governance and risk
Agnikul’s launch roadmap may benefit from strategic insights

New Monkey Species Colobus congoensis Identified

Researchers have identified a new African monkey species named Colobus congoensis, locally known as Likweli, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The species inhabits forested areas of the Congo Basin near Lomami National Park. It is distinguished by dark fur, orange‑cream facial markings, and distinctive vocalisations. Genetic analyses confirm it represents a distinct evolutionary lineage among colobus monkeys. The discovery enhances biodiversity knowledge in Central Africa and informs conservation planning for tropical forest ecosystems and primate populations.

New species Colobus congoensis identified
Locally called Likweli; in Congo Basin near Lomami NP
Distinct dark fur and orange‑cream facial markings
Genetic analysis confirms distinct lineage
Implications for biodiversity and conservation

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