General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - October 2019

Oct 2019

Sep 02, 2026

IIT Madras, UNESCO MGIEP Sign AI Learning Partnership

In September 2026, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (UNESCO MGIEP) signed a cooperation agreement to advance artificial intelligence in learning. The partnership aims to combine UNESCO MGIEP’s expertise in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) with IIT Madras’ strengths in AI, Extended Reality (XR), and game design to create next-generation educational tools. The collaboration seeks to develop immersive content, support inclusive pedagogy, and explore ethical frameworks for AI in classrooms, with potential applications in science, technology, and social-emotional development.

Institutions: IIT Madras and UNESCO MGIEP.
Focus: AI learning, immersive technologies, SEL integration.
Areas: AI, XR, game design; education for peace and sustainability.
Goal: innovative, inclusive learning tools in schools.
Timeline: partnership activated in September 2026.

Bhashini Shilpi Developer Session Held in Nepal

The Digital India BHASHINI Division organized a Shilpi developer session at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, Nepal, in August 2026. Under the aegis of the Digital India Corporation and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the event showcased India's work on language-based artificial intelligence and multilingual digital services. The session highlighted efforts to promote inclusive digital technology across languages and improve access to public services. Delegates discussed scalable language models, data accessibility, and collaborations with partner institutions to advance multilingual AI solutions for governance and citizen engagement. The meeting reinforced India’s commitment to bridging linguistic gaps through technology.

Location: Embassy of India, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Organisers: Digital India BHASHINI Division, Digital India Corporation, MeitY.
Focus: language-based AI solutions and multilingual digital services.
Aim: promote inclusive digital technology across Indian languages.
Key takeaway: progress in translation, transliteration and NLP for governance.

Sep 01, 2026

Green Forge Complex inaugurated at BRIC-NABI Mohali to study GM crops under controlled conditions

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Green Forge Complex at BRIC-NABI, Mohali, in August 2026. The first-of-its-kind research facility focuses on genetically modified crops under tightly controlled environmental conditions. Equipped with advanced simulation chambers, the complex allows researchers to regulate light, humidity, and temperature to observe crop responses in different environments. The aim is to assess the suitability of GM crops for diverse Indian geographies before field trials, supporting risk assessments and decision making. Scientists will study traits such as drought tolerance and pest resistance, enabling data-driven cultivation strategies. The project aligns with BRIC-NABI’s mandate to strengthen bioeconomy research and sustainable agriculture in India.

Inaugurated by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh in August 2026.
Located at BRIC-NABI, Mohali; first-of-its-kind GM crop research facility.
Features simulation chambers to control light, humidity, and temperature.
Aims to assess GM crop suitability for India’s diverse geographies before field trials.
Supports risk assessments and data-driven regulatory decisions.
Anticipated to strengthen bioeconomy research and sustainable agriculture in India.

Aug 31, 2026

Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launches from Florida

NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launched from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. The mission marks a major advance in astronomy, enabling wide-field infrared observations to study dark energy, exoplanets, and the structure of the universe. Kennedy Space Center has hosted historic missions including Apollo and Space Shuttle programs, and the Roman telescope benefits from this legacy of complex, high-profile launches. Operators emphasised precision instrumentation, extended mission life, and collaboration with international partners to maximize scientific return.

Roman Space Telescope launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Rides on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
Aims to study dark energy, exoplanets, and cosmic structure.
Space Center’s historic role in U.S. and global space missions.
Emphasis on international collaboration and advanced instruments.

Aug 30, 2026

Gujarat launches India's first state-level Sports Genomics Programme

Gujarat launched India's first state-level Sports Genomics Programme under the Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre in Gandhinagar. The programme focuses on studying genetic factors associated with athletic performance and the risk of sports-related injuries. It aims to analyse nearly 10,000 athlete samples over five years, with the broader objective of using genomic research to better understand sporting potential and injury susceptibility. The project will help tailor training programs and preventive care for athletes, potentially reducing dropout rates and extending careers. The programme forms part of Gujarat's broader initiative to upgrade sports science and biomedical research, attracting collaboration with national institutions and industry partners. The program began this year as part of the state's health and education reforms.

Program: Sports Genomics under Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre
Scope: study genetic factors in performance and injuries
Sample size: ~10,000 athletes over 5 years
Goal: tailor training and preventive care using genomics
Impact: potential to extend athletes’ careers

Aug 29, 2026

Gnani Artha AI Stack Launched at Rashtrapati Bhavan

Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan launched ‘Gnani Artha’, a sovereign AI stack developed by GNANI AI, at Uprashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi in August 2026. The stack comprises Evon 3.3, a large language model, and Plexus, a platform designed to connect artificial intelligence capabilities with real‑world work and institutions. The launch highlights India’s push for domestically built AI technologies and digital sovereignty. Gnani Artha is described as scalable and enterprise‑grade, intended for government and industry use cases, including data governance and public services. The event underscores ongoing efforts to reduce dependence on foreign AI infrastructure while fostering local innovation and collaboration across academia, industry, and government.

Gnani Artha announced by Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan.
Suite includes Evon 3.3 LLM and Plexus platform.
Aims to advance sovereign, locally built AI technologies.
Intended for government, industry, and public service applications.
Part of India’s broader digital sovereignty and innovation push.

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