State of India’s Digital Economy 2026: India ranked 4th in AI performance and 5th among digital...
According to the State of India’s Digital Economy 2026 report, India ranked fourth globally in AI performance and fifth among the world’s most digitalised economies. The report highlights rapid AI adoption, the growth of digital public infrastructure, and a rising role in global digital transformation. It notes improvements in data governance, government services, and private-sector AI deployments across health, agriculture, and finance. Analysts emphasise the ongoing need to expand computing capacity and ensure inclusive access to AI-driven services. The findings reflect India’s push to integrate AI with public systems and industry while addressing ethical and security considerations.
India ranks 4th globally in AI performance.
Ranked 5th among the world's digitalised economies.
Highlights rapid AI adoption and digital public infrastructure.
Notes improvements in governance and private-sector AI use.
Calls for expanding computing capacity and inclusive access.
May 30, 2026
India launches its first SkyCast weather system at Delhi's IGI Airport
India launched its first SkyCast System at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, a forecast-based aviation weather intelligence system. SkyCast provides real-time weather information to improve flight safety, reduce weather-related delays, and support smoother airport operations, particularly during fog and adverse conditions. The system integrates radar, satellite data, and on-ground sensors to generate timely alerts for air traffic controllers and pilots. Officials say SkyCast will strengthen decision-making, optimize flight schedules, and mitigate disruptions caused by weather. The Delhi launch marks a milestone in India’s aviation resilience and aligns with efforts to modernize critical infrastructure and enhance passenger experience. Future deployments are planned at other major airports.
First SkyCast weather system launched at Delhi's IGI Airport
Provides real-time aviation weather intelligence to improve safety and reduce delays
Integrates radar, satellite data and on-ground sensors
Aims to enhance airport operations during fog and adverse weather
Plans for deployment at other major airports
NETRA A2000 Edge AI System-on-Chip unveiled by Netrasemi
Kerala-based semiconductor start-up Netrasemi unveiled NETRA A2000, India’s first Edge AI System-on-Chip. The chip is designed for on-device AI applications such as smart cameras, video analytics, and edge AI platforms, marking an important step in India’s semiconductor design ecosystem. It aims to bring AI processing closer to data sources, reducing latency and enhancing privacy. The company envisions collaborations with device makers and verticals like security, smart cities, and industrial automation. Analysts view NETRA A2000 as a milestone for India’s push to build indigenous chip technology and to expand opportunities for start-ups in the hardware sector. Industry observers say NETRA A2000 could anchor domestic supply chains and spur further hardware R&D investment.
First Edge AI System-on-Chip for India: NETRA A2000
Designed for on-device AI applications (cameras, analytics, edge platforms)
Kerala-based start-up Netrasemi developed the chip
Aims to reduce latency and enhance privacy by processing on device
Potential to anchor domestic supply chains and spur hardware R&D investment
May 29, 2026
IAF and IIT-Bombay ink contracts for predictive maintenance of Su-30 MKI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has signed three contracts with IIT Bombay to adopt predictive maintenance for the Su-30 MKI aircraft. The aim is to implement prognostic and prescriptive maintenance using indigenous expertise to lower service costs, improve aircraft availability and extend fleet life. The signing was led by Air Marshal KAA Sanjeeb and IIT Bombay Director Shireesh B Kedare. Officials say the collaboration advances Aatmanirbharta in strategic technologies and showcases Indian aerospace innovation. IIT-Bombay described the partnership as a major step toward data-driven, self-reliant maintenance solutions for national defence aviation.
Three contracts with IIT Bombay for Su-30 MKI maintenance.
Focus on predictive, prognostic and prescriptive maintenance.
Indigenous expertise to reduce costs and improve availability.
Leadership: Air Marshal Sanjeeb; IIT Bombay director Kedare.
Supports Aatmanirbharta and self-reliant defence technology.
May 28, 2026
Blue Origin wins NASA lunar mission contract
Blue Origin won a NASA contract on 26 May 2026 to deliver lunar rovers and related equipment as part of NASA’s Moon Base initiative, targeting a sustained human presence at the lunar south pole by the 2030s. The initial contract is valued at at least 188 million dollars, with an option period of 280.4 million dollars for additional tasks. NASA also awarded 439 million dollars in total to Astrolab and Lunar Outpost for lunar terrain vehicle development. The awards reflect a broader push to establish surface infrastructure for future robotic and human exploration on the Moon.
Contract awarded on 26 May 2026
Initial value: at least $188 million
Option period: up to $280.4 million
NASA also awarded $439 million to Astrolab and Lunar Outpost
Part of NASA’s Moon Base initiative
May 27, 2026
Loktak Protocluster discovered dating to 12.6 billion years ago
Astronomers led by Ronaldo Laishram from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan reported the discovery of a galaxy protocluster named Loktak Protocluster, dating to about 12.6 billion years after the Big Bang, when the universe was roughly 1.2 billion years old. The structure contains four connected concentrations of galaxies and was observed using data from the Subaru Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope. It is named after Loktak Lake in Manipur, drawing a parallel to the lake’s floating phumdis. This finding helps scientists understand early galaxy formation and cluster assembly; future observations across wavelengths are planned to refine its properties.
Age of universe at discovery: ~1.2 billion years
Protocluster age: ~12.6 billion years after Big Bang
Contains four connected galaxy concentrations
Observed with Subaru Telescope and JWST
Named after Loktak Lake, Manipur
India's first hydrogen-powered train approved for Jind-Sonipat line
Railways has approved operation of India's first hydrogen-powered 10-coach DEMU train on the Jind-Sonipat line in Haryana. The train will reach a top speed of 75 kilometres per hour and will draw power from hydrogen fuel cells, avoiding diesel and traditional electric traction. With a total power output of about 1,200 kilowatts, the system uses Distributed Power Rolling Stock technology to distribute power along the train. The approval from the Ministry of Railways followed technical clearance from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation. The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation has authorised refuelling of compressed hydrogen gas at Jind. The move signals a broader push toward cleaner mobility in Indian rail corridors.
Route: Jind–Sonipat, Haryana
Train type: 10-coach DEMU, hydrogen-powered
Top speed: 75 km/h; Power: ~1,200 kW
Tech: Distributed Power Rolling Stock; RDSO clearance
Fuel: Hydrogen; Refuelling authorised at Jind
India records 191 cockroach species; DNA barcode library
India now records 191 cockroach species, with more than 60 percent endemic to the country, according to a Zoological Survey of India study published in Zootaxa. The research also documents India's first and largest DNA barcode reference library for cockroaches, generating more than 100 high-quality DNA barcodes to aid species identification and taxonomic classification. DNA barcoding uses a short gene sequence, typically mitochondrial COI, to distinguish closely related species and resolve disputes where external features are similar. The study highlights the expanding biodiversity catalog and the role of molecular tools in taxonomy, which supports conservation planning and bio-surveillance efforts nationwide.
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