General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - February 2020

Feb 2020

Feb 25, 2026

Yogi Adityanath inaugurates IBM AI GovTech Innovation Centre in Lucknow

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated IBM’s AI GovTech Innovation Centre in Lucknow, describing it as a milestone for technology-driven governance. The centre is a collaboration with IBM to design and scale AI-based solutions for governance, transparency, and public service delivery. The CM highlighted Uttar Pradesh’s potential in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, deep tech, and quantum computing. He recalled India’s first computer being installed at IIT Kanpur with IBM support, framing the initiative within a historic technological trajectory. The centre will serve as a platform for researchers and government agencies to co-create digital governance tools.

IBM’s AI GovTech Innovation Centre opened in Lucknow.
Collaboration aims to develop AI-based governance solutions.
Centre to improve transparency and public service delivery.
State promotes leadership in AI, deep tech, and quantum tech.
Historical link: first Indian computer at IIT Kanpur with IBM support.

New jasmine blossom midge described as Contarinia icardiflores in India

Scientists from the ICAR-Directorate of Floricultural Research (ICAR-DFR), Pune, report a new pest on jasmine flower buds (Jasminum sambac). The species Contarinia icardiflores sp. nov. was described under leadership of Dr. D. M. Firake. The blossom midge poses significant economic risk by damaging buds and lowering yield and market value of jasmine, a key ornamental crop. Contarinia species are globally known pests of ornamentals and crops. The new species is named icardiflores to acknowledge ICAR-DFR’s contributions to floriculture science. The findings underscore the need for monitoring and integrated pest management to protect jasmine cultivation in India.

New pest: Contarinia icardiflores sp. nov. on Jasminum sambac.
Led by Dr. D. M. Firake of ICAR-DFR, Pune.
Pest causes bud damage and yield loss in jasmine crops.
Contarinia is a global pest genus affecting ornamentals.
Name honors ICAR-DFR’s floriculture contributions.

Feb 24, 2026

PhonePe launches AI‑powered natural language search

PhonePe announced an AI‑powered natural language search feature built on Microsoft Foundry on 23 February 2026. The new tool enables users to navigate, pay, recharge and track transactions through simple voice or text commands. This represents a shift from button‑based navigation to intent‑driven, conversational interactions within the app, aiming to improve ease of use, security and personalization. Users can simply type or speak their intent, and the system will route actions accordingly. The update aligns with broader fintech trends toward more intuitive and accessible digital payments on mobile platforms.

Launch date: 23 February 2026; platform: PhonePe with Microsoft Foundry.
Feature: AI‑powered natural language search for payments and actions.
User benefit: simpler, voice/text driven interactions; potential security improvements.
Interaction mode: moves away from menu navigation to intent‑based routing.
Strategic impact: enhances user experience in mobile payments.

Feb 23, 2026

Railways Goes Smart: AI-Enabled Apps to Fix Grievances and Manage Crowds

At the AI India Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Indian Railways announced seven AI-enabled apps to improve passenger services and crowd management. The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) is leading the rollout of these tools, including Rail Madad, RailOne, and Coach Mitra. Rail Madad classifies and prioritises complaints by urgency and type; RailOne predicts ticket confirmations more accurately; Coach Mitra supports onboard housekeeping and is currently used on 74 trains. The aim is safer passenger flow, quicker grievance resolution, and smoother train operations across the network.

Seven AI-enabled passenger apps announced by Railways.
CRIS leads the AI rollout; examples include Rail Madad, RailOne, Coach Mitra.
Rail Madad prioritises complaints by urgency; RailOne predicts confirmations.
Coach Mitra supports onboard housekeeping; 74 trains use it.
Goal: safer crowds, faster service, improved operations nationwide.

Amaravati to Host India’s First Quantum Valley

Amaravati, the planned capital of Andhra Pradesh, will host India’s first Quantum Valley. The project is linked to a proposed IBM quantum computing facility as part of the National Quantum Mission (NQM). Advanced discussions between IBM and the state government are underway for a Quantum Valley Tech Park that may house an IBM Quantum System Two. The initiative aims to place Amaravati at the forefront of quantum research and industry in India, advancing national capabilities in next‑generation computing and technology development.

Amaravati selected as India’s first Quantum Valley.
Linked to a proposed IBM quantum facility under NQM.
Advanced talks for a Quantum Valley Tech Park.
Potential installation of IBM Quantum System Two.
Aims to position Amaravati as a national quantum hub.

Feb 22, 2026

Galathea balasubramaniani Identified in Lakshadweep Reefs

Researchers from the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR), Kochi, in collaboration with Annamalai University, have identified a new crab species named Galathea balasubramaniani from Lakshadweep coral reefs. The tiny crustacean measures about 3 millimetres and was found near Agatti Island. The discovery was led by T. Ajith Kumar and confirmed through morphological analysis and DNA sequencing, establishing it as a distinct Indo-Pacific species. The species is named in honour of T. Balasubramanian for his contributions to marine biology. Findings were published in the taxonomy journal Zootaxa, highlighting India’s biodiversity in marine environments. This adds to ongoing biodiversity assessments in Indian seas.

New crab species: Galathea balasubramaniani
Size around 3 millimetres; found in Lakshadweep reefs
Discovered by NBFGR Kochi with Annamalai University
Led by T. Ajith Kumar; DNA analysis confirmed distinct species
Published in Zootaxa; named after T. Balasubramanian

Feb 21, 2026

New dinosaur Spinosaurus mirabilis discovered in the Sahara Desert

Palaeontologists have described a new dinosaur species, Spinosaurus mirabilis, from Niger’s Sahara Desert. The species lived about 95 million years ago and dominated river systems as a top predator. Fossil remains include three skulls and additional skeletal material recovered at the Jenguebi site after a challenging expedition. The discovery reveals a second distinct species within the Spinosaurus lineage and enriches understanding of spinosaurids’ evolution and ecology in Africa. The find contributes to knowledge about how Cretaceous ecosystems functioned in arid and semi-arid environments, highlighting the diversity of predatory dinosaurs in North Africa.

Spinosaurus mirabilis described from Niger, Sahara Desert
Lived approximately 95 million years ago; aquatic predator
Three skulls and additional skeletons recovered at Jenguebi site
Represents a second distinct Spinosaurus species
Enhances understanding of spinosaurid evolution and ecology
Adds to knowledge of Africa’s Cretaceous ecosystems

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