General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - March 2019

Mar 2019

Oct 02, 2026

SatLeo Labs launches TAPAS-1 thermal-imaging satellite

Ahmedabad-based spacetech startup SatLeo Labs launched its thermal-imaging satellite, TAPAS-1, in October 2026. The three-kilogram payload was carried aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket under the Transporter-18 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The satellite was deployed using Dhruva Space’s LEAP-2 platform. TAPAS-1 is described as India’s first dedicated commercial CubeSat-category thermal payload. It is designed to operate in a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of about 500 kilometres and will use a long-wave infrared sensor to map surface temperatures from space. The mission signals growing private participation in India’s space sector and may influence future remote-sensing services for agriculture, mining, and urban planning.

SatLeo Labs launched TAPAS-1, India’s first dedicated commercial CubeSat-category thermal payload.
Three-kilogram payload launched on SpaceX Falcon 9 under Transporter-18 from Vandenberg.
Deployed via Dhruva Space’s LEAP-2 platform; sun-synchronous orbit at ~500 km.
Long-wave infrared sensor will map surface temperatures from space.
Reflects rising private participation in India’s space sector.

Oct 01, 2026

Kerala develops machine-learning dengue early warning system (DEWS)

Researchers in Kerala have developed a Dengue Early Warning System (DEWS) using machine learning to forecast district-level dengue trends. The model integrates around six years of dengue surveillance data (March 2020–February 2026) with weather variables such as rainfall, temperature and humidity. It generates weekly forecasts for each district and classifies dengue risk as low, moderate, high, or very high. Officials say DEWS can help public-health authorities allocate resources in advance, bolster mosquito-control efforts, and strengthen disease-surveillance before outbreaks intensify. The project reflects collaboration between government researchers and public health agencies and may guide other states in similar efforts.

Project: DEWS using machine learning for dengue forecasting
Data used: March 2020–February 2026 plus weather variables
Output: weekly district-level risk categories (low to very high)
Purpose: guide resource allocation and vector control
Potential impact: earlier interventions; model could be replicated

Sep 29, 2026

India finishes in top 10 at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026

India finished in the top ten at the 48th WorldSkills Competition held in Shanghai, China. Team India secured 10th place, with athletes earning six silver medals and 20 Medals for Excellence across different skill categories. WorldSkills is a biennial event that brings together young professionals from various technical and vocational fields to showcase practical competencies. The 2026 edition highlighted improvements in vocational training, industry partnerships, and youth participation in India. The result marks a milestone for Indian skills development on the global stage and is expected to influence future training and apprenticeship programs across the country.

Event: 48th WorldSkills Competition, Shanghai 2026
India ranking: 10th
Medals: 6 silver; 20 Medals for Excellence
Focus area: Vocational skills and training
Significance: Boost for India's skills development framework

Sep 28, 2026

IIT Delhi develops India’s first indigenous micro-GPU

Researchers at IIT Delhi have developed India’s first indigenous micro-Graphics Processing Unit (micro-GPU), designed for resource-constrained embedded systems and low-power devices. The processor was created using Register Transfer Language and tested on a Spartan-7 Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) platform. The project is a significant step toward greater semiconductor self-reliance in India and could pave the way for future Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) fabrication. While currently at a pilot stage, the team envisions broader applications in robotics, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and edge computing, pending further funding and scale-up testing.

IIT Delhi unveils India's first indigenous micro-GPU.
Developed using Register Transfer Language; tested on Spartan-7 FPGA.
Aims for greater self-reliance in semiconductors and potential ASIC fabrication.

Sep 26, 2026

IIEST Shibpur and TCS launch Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence

On 26 September 2026, the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology (IIEST), Shibpur, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to launch a Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence. The MoU, dated 22 September 2026, designates the on-campus High-Performance Computing Lab in the Electrical Engineering Department as the base for the AI Centre of Excellence, establishing a hub for AI research, education, and industry partnerships. The collaboration aims to accelerate innovation, develop skilled professionals, and strengthen academia-industry ties in advanced AI technologies. Officials said the Centre will host research programs, internships, and joint faculty projects, leveraging IIEST Shibpur's strengths and TCS's ecosystem.

MoU between IIEST Shibpur and TCS; Centre of Excellence in AI.
MoU date: 22 September 2026; location: on-campus HPC Lab.
Purpose: AI research, education, industry collaboration.
Outcomes: accelerate innovation and develop skilled professionals.
Future activities: research programs, internships, joint faculty projects.

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