General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - March 2021

Mar 2021

Nov 13, 2026

Skyroot Aerospace Signs Agreement with Brazil's Concert Technologies

At the International Astronautical Congress 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, Skyroot Aerospace signed a two-year memorandum of understanding with Brazil's Concert Technologies to jointly develop a satellite launch vehicle capable of delivering payloads of at least 100 kilograms to low Earth orbit. The collaboration aims to advance bilateral space cooperation, including joint development of launch vehicles, satellite systems, and related technologies, and to explore potential for equatorial launch operations. The deal underscores India's growing private space sector and its role in global space collaboration by expanding commercial launch capabilities and access to affordable small-satellite missions. If successful, the venture could open new opportunities for cost-effective space missions and technology transfer.

MoU signed at IAC 2026 in Antalya
Partnership with Concert Technologies to build a 100 kg-to-LEO launcher
Joint development of launch vehicles and satellite systems
Explores potential for equatorial launches
Shows growth of India's private space sector and international collaboration

IIT Madras Develops SEANAV for Autonomous Maritime Navigation

IIT Madras has developed SEANAV (Sea Navigation), a real-time digital twin platform to assist autonomous maritime navigation. Created by the Department of Ocean Engineering, SEANAV lets researchers and engineers simulate realistic virtual sea environments to test, train, and validate autonomous vessels before real-world operations. The platform can model currents, weather, traffic, and vessel dynamics to evaluate navigation decisions and system robustness. By providing a safe testing ground, SEANAV aims to improve maritime safety, reduce development costs, and minimize risks associated with sea trials. With global shipping accounting for over 80 percent of international trade by volume, India's advances in autonomous navigation could accelerate adoption of smarter, safer ships.

SEANAV is a real-time digital twin for autonomous maritime navigation
Enables testing, training and validation in virtual sea environments
Developed by IIT Madras, Department of Ocean Engineering
Models currents, weather, traffic, and vessel dynamics
Could accelerate adoption of autonomous ships in India

Nov 11, 2026

Google Introduces TPU 8tx and TPU 8i Max for Advanced AI Computing

Tech giant Google announced new entries in its eighth‑generation Tensor Processing Unit portfolio: TPU 8tx and TPU 8i Max in 2026. TPU 8tx emphasizes secure AI inference and smaller model training, while TPU 8i Max targets memory‑intensive workloads, such as AI agents, long context windows and heavy video processing. These systems complement the existing TPU 8t and 8i platforms, expanding Google's AI computing infrastructure. The rollout aims to improve efficiency, scalability and security in enterprise AI workloads, including natural language processing, computer vision and simulated environments. Industry analysts note this supports India’s growing digital economy and local AI ecosystems.

Products: TPU 8tx and TPU 8i Max (2026)
TPU 8tx: secure inference; small‑to‑medium training
TPU 8i Max: memory‑intensive workloads; long context windows
Relation to existing TPUs: complements TPU 8t and 8i
Impact: enhanced AI computing for enterprises

India Medals in Junior Astronomy Olympiad 2026 in Thailand

India won five medals at the 5th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics for Juniors (IOAA‑Jr) 2026, held in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, from 1 to 8 November. The team earned two golds (Siddharth Laxmisha, Swara Srujal Patel), two silvers (Aarna Chaplot, Krish Bhaskar) and a bronze (Akshara Gulab Ambone). A total of 104 students from 25 countries participated. The results reflect India’s growing strength in competitive science education. The team’s performance adds to the country’s track record in international science olympiads and may inspire more students to pursue astronomy and related fields.

Event: IOAA‑Jr 2026; dates: 1–8 November
Location: Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand
India medals: 2 gold, 2 silver, 1 bronze
Winners: Siddharth Laxmisha, Swara Srujal Patel (gold)
Participants: 104 students from 25 countries

Nov 09, 2026

New Flowering Plant Discovered in Assam and Meghalaya

Botanists described a new flowering plant species named Disporum kamakhasiense, found in Assam and Meghalaya during November 2026. The species belongs to the Colchicaceae family and grows up to 180 cm tall. It was discovered at Garbhanga Reserve Forest and Laisong in Assam, and Barapani in Meghalaya. The plant has yellowish-green leaves and white, star-shaped flowers. It typically grows on cliffs beneath bamboo forests at elevations between 200 and 1,100 metres. Researchers highlighted conservation concerns due to habitat destruction and its limited distribution. Experts call for monitoring and seed banking to safeguard the species.

Scientific name: Disporum kamakhasiense; family Colchicaceae.
Growth: up to 180 cm tall.
Locations: Garbhanga RF, Laisong (Assam) and Barapani (Meghalaya).
Habitat: cliffs under bamboo forests; 200–1,100 m elevation.
Conservation: habitat loss and restricted distribution require protection.

Nov 08, 2026

New Catfish Species Discovered in Manipur

A new glyptosternine catfish species, Exostoma nasibarbatum, was discovered in Manipur and reported on 30 October 2026 in the Journal of Natural History. The species was found in the Bupal stream, a tributary of the Dujang River within the Chindwin River system near the India–Myanmar border. Researchers Paya Torisha and Bungdon Shangningam identified the species through detailed morphological analysis. The discovery highlights the rich freshwater biodiversity of Northeast India and underscores the importance of conserving river ecosystems in Manipur and adjacent regions.

Species: Exostoma nasibarbatum
Location: Bupal stream, Chandel district, Manipur
Discovery date: 30 October 2026 (journal publication date)
Researchers: Paya Torisha; Bungdon Shangningam
Significance: Adds to Northeast India's freshwater biodiversity

Nov 06, 2026

Tamil Nadu Tops India in Research Publications

Tamil Nadu emerged as India's leading state in research publications, according to NITI Aayog's India Science and Technology Scoreboard for FY 2024–25. The state recorded 44,611 publications, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 29,298 and Maharashtra with 28,947. The data reflect Tamil Nadu's strong university sector, engineering institutes and government laboratories contributing to national science output. Analysts note the figures align with state investments in higher education and science infrastructure. The scoreboard underscores ongoing national emphasis on research, innovation and knowledge economics as drivers of development. Must-know: in the last 48 hours, Delhi experienced severe post-Diwali air pollution with GRAP measures discussed by authorities.

Tamil Nadu: 44,611 publications (FY 2024–25)
Second and third: Uttar Pradesh 29,298; Maharashtra 28,947
Indicators strong state-level research ecosystems
National focus on science output and innovation
Delhi post-Diwali air pollution highlighted as a must-know event

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