General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - April 2020

Apr 2020

Sep 06, 2026

IESO 2026 in Turin ends with India winning nine medals

The 19th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) 2026 concluded in Turin, Italy, with participants from many countries solving problems in geology, meteorology, and environmental science. Indian teams achieved nine medals, reflecting strength in earth sciences at the secondary level. Organisers emphasised the event's aim to promote scientific curiosity, critical thinking, and cross-cultural exchange among young learners. The medals contribute to India's growing track record in international science competitions and may inspire more students to pursue STEM studies. The outcome underscores the importance of early scientific exposure in building future researchers and professionals.

IESO 2026 held in Turin, Italy
Participants compete in geology, meteorology, environmental science
India wins nine medals
Event promotes curiosity, critical thinking, international collaboration
Results bolster India's standing in international science competitions

ISRO launches GSLV-F17 EOS-05 mission on 4 September 2026; third 2026 orbital flight

India's space programme maintained momentum with the GSLV-F17 mission, carrying the EOS-05 Earth observation satellite. Launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on 4 September 2026, the rocket placed EOS-05 into a sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit. This mission marks ISRO's third orbital launch in 2026 and strengthens civil and strategic capabilities in weather monitoring, mapping, and disaster management. Data from EOS-05 will support agriculture planning and regional development. Work continues toward the maiden uncrewed Gaganyaan flight, targeted by the end of 2026, advancing India's goal of human spaceflight and independent space capabilities.

GSLV-F17 mission launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre
EOS-05 Earth observation satellite deployed into sub-geosynchronous transfer orbit on 4 September 2026
ISRO's third orbital launch in 2026
EOS-05 data to aid weather, mapping, disaster management, agriculture
Plans for a maiden uncrewed Gaganyaan flight by end of 2026

Sep 05, 2026

LiDAR survey at Lakkundi aims to map buried Kalyana-Chalukya-era structures

Researchers in Karnataka's Gadag district have launched a six-month LiDAR-based geospatial mapping survey at Lakkundi, a site famed for Western Chalukya temples, stepwells, and inscriptions. The project aims to uncover buried remains from the Kalyana-Chalukya period (10th–12th centuries CE) using LiDAR, a laser-based remote-sensing method that generates precise terrain models and reveals subsurface features. The survey tests the local belief that Lakkundi housed 101 temples and 101 wells, against scientific data. Findings will enrich understanding of medieval architecture and settlement patterns, support conservation planning, and boost heritage tourism. The project is funded by the state archaeology directorate and collaborating universities.

Location: Lakkundi, Gadag district, Karnataka
Period studied: Kalyana-Chalukya (10th–12th centuries CE)
Method: LiDAR-based geospatial mapping
Objective: test 101-temples/101-wells belief
Significance: informs archaeology, conservation, tourism

Sep 04, 2026

Intel India and NIELIT Launch Agentic AI Skilling Programme

In September 2026, Intel India and the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), under MeitY, launched the Agentic AI Skilling Programme. The initiative trains Indian youth to work with agentic AI systems capable of reasoning, planning, and independent task execution. A National Leadership Dialogue in New Delhi focused on preparing the future workforce for the Agentic AI era. The collaboration aligns with India’s broader push to develop AI capabilities and digital economy skills, strengthening private-sector partnership for technology upskilling and national digital infrastructure.

Partners: Intel India and NIELIT (MeitY).
Programme: Agentic AI Skilling (training in autonomous AI systems).
Event: National Leadership Dialogue in New Delhi.
Goal: prepare youth for agentic AI era.
Context: supports India’s AI and digital economy strategy.

ISRO Launches GSLV-F17 Carrying EOS-05 Satellite

ISRO launched the GSLV-F17 rocket on 4 September 2026 at 02:55 IST from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, carrying EOS-05 (GISAT-1A). The mission aims to place the GEO-imaging satellite into geostationary orbit, enabling continuous Earth observation over the Indian subcontinent for disaster monitoring and border surveillance. This marks a milestone following the EOS-03 failure in 2021. Mission control reported successful injection into orbit and a planned orbital-raising phase in subsequent days. The launch demonstrates India’s advancing capabilities in space, with ongoing collaboration between ISRO and its international partners.

Launch date/time: 4 September 2026, 02:55 IST.
Vehicle: GSLV-F17; Payload: EOS-05 (GISAT-1A).
Orbit: Geostationary; purpose: persistent imaging of the subcontinent.
Significance: replaces EOS-03; enhances disaster monitoring.
Status: mission success reported; further orbital-raising planned.

BIO-NIVESH Platform Launched to Support Biotechnology Startups

On 3 September 2026, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh launched BIO-NIVESH, a platform to connect biotechnology startups with investors. The initiative seeks to increase private investment in scalable biotechnology innovations and strengthen India’s biotech ecosystem. The platform facilitates two-way engagement, helping startups access regulatory, development, and market insights. The launch occurred during a roundtable in New Delhi with startups and investors and aligns with government efforts to accelerate biotech innovation, commercialisation, and scale-up in health, agriculture, and environment sectors.

Launch date: 3 September 2026.
Purpose: connect biotech startups with private capital.
Location: New Delhi; roundtable with stakeholders.
Impact: aims to boost investment and scaling of biotech innovations.
Policy context: supports biotech ecosystem development.

Sep 03, 2026

Apollyon Dynamics Unveils India’s Fastest Multirotor UAV

Apollyon Dynamics, a defence technology startup incubated at BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus, announced India’s fastest multirotor UAV. The Ahuti Mk II achieved a certified speed of 498 km/h, setting a national record for indigenous electric interceptor drones. The company described the craft as compact and agile, suitable for rapid reconnaissance and intercept missions. The achievement underscores India’s growing capabilities in domestic defence technology and electronics manufacturing. The India Book of Records recognised the project in September 2026, with expectations that such advances will spur further research in high-speed unmanned systems, battery chemistry and aerodynamics, influencing future procurement and security strategies.

Ahuti Mk II speed: 498 km/h
Developed by Apollyon Dynamics at BITS Pilani Hyderabad
Indigenous electric interceptor drone
Recognised by India Book of Records
Advances in defence tech, batteries and aerodynamics
Potential impact on future procurement and security

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.

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