General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - January 2021

Jan 2021

Jul 11, 2026

ICMR to establish first High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Centre at Keylong

India's first dedicated Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research is being established by ICMR in Himachal Pradesh. The centre will be located at Keylong in the Lahaul and Spiti district by upgrading the existing ICMR field station. It will serve as a multidisciplinary research hub focusing on health challenges in high-altitude regions. It will support climate-resilient healthcare and biomedical research across India's Himalayan region. Foundation stone to be laid on 11 July 2026 by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda. Experts expect collaborations with national institutes, field stations across the region, and training programs for healthcare workers.

ICMR to establish the first dedicated High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Centre at Keylong.
Centre will upgrade an existing ICMR field station into a multidisciplinary hub.
Focus on health challenges in high-altitude regions and climate-resilient healthcare.
Foundation stone to be laid on 11 July 2026 by Jagat Prakash Nadda.
Potential collaborations with national institutes and universities; training for healthcare workers.

Jul 10, 2026

Thorium deposits identified in Gundlupet, Karnataka by GSI

Geological Survey of India identified thorium-bearing mineral deposits in Gundlupet taluk, Karnataka's Chamarajanagar district, in July 2026. The deposits extend across nearly 700 acres in Koothanur and surrounding villages, with about 20 acres designated as the core area for excavation and a mining auction. The discovery adds to India's resource base for thorium, viewed as a potential alternative in some reactor designs. Officials stressed that development would follow environmental clearances and international safeguards. The find could boost local employment and attract investment in mineral exploration and processing, aligning with national goals to diversify energy inputs and strengthen energy security.

GSI identified thorium-bearing deposits in Gundlupet taluk, July 2026.
Deposits span nearly 700 acres; core area ~20 acres for excavation.
Thorium could diversify energy inputs for certain reactors.
Development will follow environmental clearances and safeguards.
Potential to boost local employment and mineral investment.

Jul 09, 2026

Global AI Summit 2027 announced for Geneva

Switzerland will host the Global AI Summit in Geneva on 21–22 June 2027. The event will address artificial intelligence governance, trustworthy AI and responsible development. Governments, international organisations, businesses, scientists and civil society are expected to participate. The summit aims to foster collaboration on AI standards, safety, ethics and policy frameworks, and to showcase innovations in AI governance. Organisers emphasise inclusive dialogue among stakeholders to ensure that AI benefits are maximised while mitigating risks. The venue and dates provide a fixed timeline for policymakers and industry leaders planning cooperative efforts across borders.

Host: Geneva, Switzerland
Dates: 21–22 June 2027
Focus: AI governance, trustworthy AI, responsible development
Participants: governments, international bodies, businesses, scientists, civil society
Purpose: set standards and foster collaboration on AI policy
Significance: international coordination on AI ethics and safety

Jul 07, 2026

UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance held in Geneva (6–7 July 2026)

India participated in the inaugural United Nations Global Dialogue on AI Governance held in Geneva from 6 to 7 July 2026. The Indian delegation was led by Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs and Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The dialogue, organized under UN auspices, gathered governments and stakeholders to discuss international cooperation, ethical frameworks, safety standards, and inclusive governance of artificial intelligence. The event highlighted the need for globally coordinated norms and shared best practices, with parallel summits advancing discussions on AI for development, governance, and human rights considerations.

India participated in UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance
Geneva, 6–7 July 2026; led by Kirti Vardhan Singh
Platform for international cooperation on AI governance
Discussed ethics, safety, and inclusive policy frameworks
Aims to shape global norms and standards

India joins UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva

India participated in the UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance, held in Geneva on 6–7 July 2026. The delegation, led by a senior government minister, represented India's stance on global AI norms. The dialogue, the first universal intergovernmental platform for AI governance under the UN system, brought together ministers, researchers, and industry experts to discuss ethics, risk, and development. Participants highlighted the need for inclusive access to AI benefits, robust safety standards, and cross-border cooperation. The event feeds into ongoing discussions about international cooperation to manage AI's societal impact.

India participates in UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance
Geneva, 6–7 July 2026; first universal AI governance platform
Focus on ethics, risk, and inclusive development
Calls for international cooperation and safety standards
Forges India’s role in global AI policy

Jul 06, 2026

Placenta-on-Chip platform developed by IIT Bombay and ICMR‑NIRWoH

Researchers from IIT Bombay and the ICMR‑National Institute for Research on Women’s Health (NIRWoH) in Mumbai developed an indigenous placenta‑on‑chip platform. The device reproduces key functions of the human placental barrier in the lab, enabling safer pregnancy research and drug testing while reducing reliance on animal models. The collaboration aims to study nutrient transport, hormone signaling, and barrier function, with potential applications in understanding pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. The innovation could advance maternal–fetal health research and provide a scalable platform for pharmaceutical safety assessments within India.

Collaboration: IIT Bombay and ICMR‑NIRWoH (Mumbai)
Innovation: placenta‑on‑chip platform replicates placental functions
Applications: pregnancy research, drug testing, reduced animal use
Implications: improved understanding of maternal–fetal health
Potential: safer therapies and accelerated research

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