General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - May 2019

May 2019

Aug 17, 2026

China Launches 24th Batch of LEO Internet Satellites

On 16 August 2026, China launched the 24th batch of low-Earth-orbit internet satellites from a commercial launch site in Hainan province. The satellites were placed into preset orbits to join China’s expanding LEO network, aimed at strengthening space-based broadband and connectivity. The deployment supports high-speed communications for consumers and industry, particularly in remote areas. This move underscores China’s ongoing efforts to diversify its space capabilities and broaden access to fast internet through satellite technology, contributing to national digital infrastructure and potential international services.

Launch date: 16 August 2026
Payload: 24th batch of LEO internet satellites
Launch site: commercial facility in Hainan province
Purpose: strengthen space-based broadband and connectivity
Impact: improved access to high-speed internet, including remote regions

Aug 16, 2026

IISc Develops SraVaani Speech Recognition Model

IISc Bengaluru has developed SraVaani, an open‑source multilingual speech recognition model. The project is led by IISc’s SPIRE Lab, developed in collaboration with ARTPARK and supported by Google. SraVaani can convert speech to text across 65 Indian languages and dialects and supports 10 scripts, making it a versatile tool for many communities. The model aims to improve accessibility and digital inclusion by enabling language‑inclusive AI solutions for education, governance and everyday use. Researchers emphasize responsible use, open access and ongoing expansion to new languages. The release highlights India’s growing role in language technology and public‑sector AI research. Experts say it could support local language education and government services in rural areas.

SraVaani is an open‑source multilingual speech recognition model developed by IISc Bengaluru.
Collaboration includes ARTPARK and Google support.
Covers 65 Indian languages/dialects and 10 scripts.
Aims to enhance accessibility and digital inclusion through AI.
Open access with ongoing expansion to more languages.

Aug 15, 2026

Total Solar Eclipse on 12 August 2026: not visible in India

A total solar eclipse occurred on 12 August 2026, drawing global attention but not visible from India. NASA’s eclipse path included Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, the Atlantic, and parts of Spain and Portugal, with India experiencing nighttime conditions during the event. Indian observers were advised to watch live streams and broadcasts from space agencies for real-time viewing. The occurrence provides an opportunity for public outreach in astronomy and science education, while highlighting the global nature of celestial events and the value of digital channels for learning when direct viewing is unavailable.

Total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026 not visible in India
NASA path: Greenland, Iceland, northern Russia, Atlantic, Spain, Portugal
IST timing places event after sunset in India
Live streams available from NASA/ESA
Opportunities for astronomy outreach and education
Demonstrates value of digital viewing for sky events

IIT Guwahati develops two-stage microalgae CO₂ capture process

Researchers at IIT Guwahati introduced a two-stage microalgae-based process to enhance carbon dioxide capture and bioenergy production. The approach improves carbon fixation efficiency by optimizing cultivation conditions and nutrient supply, enabling higher biomass yields and downstream energy conversion. In the first stage, microalgae are grown under controlled light and carbon regimes; the second stage concentrates and processes biomass into bioenergy precursors. Led by Professor Kaustubha Mohanty of the Chemical Engineering Department, the work seeks a scalable, lower-cost route for carbon management and renewable energy generation. If validated at pilot scale, the technology could complement emissions-reduction efforts and support India’s climate and energy goals.

Two-stage microalgae CO₂ capture process developed
Improved carbon fixation and bioenergy potential
Stage 1: optimized cultivation; Stage 2: biomass processing
Led by Prof. Kaustubha Mohanty, IIT Guwahati
Potential for scalable, low-cost carbon management
Supports renewable energy and climate objectives

IIHT SUTRA 2026 National Conclave on Handloom Innovation held in New Delhi

The first National Conclave of Indian Institutes of Handloom Technology (IIHT) — IIHT SUTRA 2026 — was held at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi. The event carried the theme 'IIHTs: Weaving the Future of the Indian Handloom Sector – Educate. Innovate. Transform.' Organisers highlighted capacity-building, skill development, and technology adoption as keys to modernising traditional textiles. Delegates discussed training curricula, research collaborations, and market links to help rural weavers access new design competencies and supply chains. Government partners emphasised measurable outcomes for employment and export growth, while handloom institutions showcased pilot projects in turbine looms, dye chemistry, and e-commerce platforms. The conclave underlined the sector’s potential to sustain heritage and livelihoods through innovation.

Conclave theme focuses on education, innovation, and transformation.
Emphasis on skill development and technology in handloom sector.
Discussion on curricula, research, and market access for weavers.
Aims to boost employment and export growth.

Aug 14, 2026

L&T Vyoma.AI to Build Nvidia B300 AI Factory at Chennai Campus

Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T) through its data-centre arm Vyoma.AI has won India’s largest single-cluster AI infrastructure project for the US-based startup Together AI. The plan involves establishing a Nvidia B300 AI Factory on Vyoma.AI’s Chennai data-centre campus in Tamil Nadu. The facility is valued at about ₹10,000 crore to ₹15,000 crore and will support large-scale AI training, model fine-tuning, and high-throughput inference workloads. The Chennai campus is being developed as a gigawatt-scale AI infrastructure hub with expansion capacity to meet rising compute demands. This project marks a significant step in India’s drive to build domestic AI infrastructure and attract global tech talent.

Vyoma.AI selected to host Nvidia B300 AI Factory for Together AI.
Facility location: Vyoma.AI data-centre campus, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Project value: ₹10,000 crore–₹15,000 crore.
Intended uses: large-scale training, fine-tuning, and inference.
Chennai campus designed as a gigawatt-scale AI hub with future expansion.
Part of India’s strategy to expand domestic AI infrastructure.

Aug 12, 2026

Amgen Announces Centre in Genome Valley, Hyderabad

US biotechnology major Amgen announced a new Science and Innovation Centre at Genome Valley in Hyderabad, Telangana. The centre is expected to become operational in 2027 and will expand the company’s research and development presence in India. It will focus on areas such as discovery chemistry, precision medicine, drug metabolism and digital technologies. The initiative is expected to further strengthen Hyderabad’s position as a major global life-sciences hub. The project aligns with India's aim to grow its biotech ecosystem through foreign investment, academia collaboration, and transfer of advanced capabilities to the Genome Valley region.

Amgen to set up a new centre at Genome Valley, Hyderabad.
Centre operational in 2027; expands India R&D footprint.
Focus areas: discovery chemistry, precision medicine, metabolism, digital tech.
Aims to bolster Hyderabad as a life-sciences hub.
Demonstrates global biotech investment in India.

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

August GK, July GK, June GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services And Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26