General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - August 2021

Aug 2021

Mar 13, 2026

V.O. Chidambaranar Port launches Digital Twin initiative

The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority becomes the first Indian major port to launch a Digital Twin platform for port management. The platform, inaugurated on 23 February 2026 by Sarbananda Sonowal, mirrors port infrastructure, assets and the maritime ecosystem in a real-time virtual model. It integrates IoT sensors, GPS, LiDAR mapping, drone imagery and CCTV networks to deliver enhanced operational visibility, predictive analytics and data-driven decision making across departments. The initiative aims to improve efficiency, safety and coordination in port operations, while enabling scenario testing and proactive maintenance as part of a broader move toward smart maritime infrastructure.

Milestone: first Indian major port with Digital Twin
Inauguration: 23 February 2026 by Sarbananda Sonowal
Technology: IoT, GPS, LiDAR, drones, CCTV
Benefits: real-time visibility, analytics, decision support
Impact: improved efficiency and maintenance

Mar 12, 2026

Deloitte opens ConnectSafe Cyber Security Facility in Bengaluru

Deloitte has launched a new cyber security facility named ConnectSafe in Bengaluru to strengthen protection against cyber threats targeting connected technologies and critical infrastructure. The facility focuses on identifying vulnerabilities and testing systems against advanced cyber attack scenarios, with a particular emphasis on protecting operational technology ecosystems that control physical infrastructure. Compared with traditional security centres, ConnectSafe aims to defend industrial and utility networks, factories and banks from disruptions, data theft and outages. It positions India as a training and testing hub for cutting-edge cyber defence practices.

Deloitte launches ConnectSafe cyber security facility in Bengaluru.
Facility targets protection of operational technology and critical infrastructure.
Emphasises testing against advanced cyber attack scenarios.
First-of-its-kind in India focusing on OT environments.
Must-know last 48 hours: 11 March 2026 National Conference of Women Elected Representatives; 12 March 2026 World Kidney Day.

Scientists Trace Earth's First Animals to 541 Million Years Ago

Scientists tracing Earth's earliest animal life have identified evidence in rocks dated to about 541 million years ago. The findings push back the emergence of complex life, suggesting soft-bodied sea sponges were among the first animals to inhabit the oceans, well before the Cambrian explosion. Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology analysed Precambrian rock samples and detected chemical fossils known as steranes, molecular traces from sterols essential to eukaryotic membranes. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, indicates early multicellular life with sponge-like features, offering new insights into early animal evolution for Earth's history.

Timeline: ~541 million years ago; earliest animal life identified
Significance: suggests soft-bodied sponges among first animals
Method: MIT analysis of Precambrian rocks; detection of steranes
Publication: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences; implications for evolution

Mar 11, 2026

Sheshnaag-150: India Tests Indigenous Swarming Drone

India is advancing unmanned warfare with Sheshnaag-150, a long‑range swarming attack drone under testing. Developed by Bengaluru‑based defence start‑up Newspace Research Technologies, the drone seeks cost‑effective, flexible capabilities comparable to global swarming platforms. The system completed its maiden flight about a year ago and is now evaluated as part of India’s evolving drone‑warfare strategy. Modern conflicts have demonstrated how inexpensive drones can affect infrastructure, vehicles and logistics. Sheshnaag‑150 aims to replicate this effect using indigenous technology and swarm operations, reducing dependence on expensive foreign platforms. The project emphasizes domestic design, manufacturing, and rapid deployment for future warfare needs. Officials say the program aligns with Make in India and strategic autonomy objectives.

Sheshnaag-150 is a long‑range swarming drone under testing in Bengaluru.
Developed by Newspace Research Technologies to enable cost‑effective operations.
Maiden flight occurred about a year ago; current evaluations are part of Defense reforms.
Aims to mirror effects of low‑cost drones used in modern conflicts.
Supports India's Indigenous drone program and strategic autonomy goals.

Mar 10, 2026

IIT Bombay and Honeywell launch Sustainability Skills Hub

IIT Bombay has partnered with Honeywell to establish the IIT Bombay Honeywell Centre of Excellence for Future Skills and Innovation at the Powai campus in Mumbai. The CoE aims to train more than 100,000 students in sustainability-related fields by 2030 through industry-academia collaboration. It will serve as a hub for developing skills in sustainability, environmental technologies, and green innovation. The centre is funded by the Honeywell Hometown Solutions India Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Honeywell in India. The collaboration seeks to strengthen workforce readiness, support research and entrepreneurship, and connect students with industry mentors to advance a greener economy.

Centre: IIT Bombay Honeywell Centre of Excellence for Future Skills and Innovation
Location: Powai campus, Mumbai
Target: 100,000 students by 2030
Funding: Honeywell Hometown Solutions India Foundation
Focus: sustainability, green tech, industry-academia collaboration

150 million-year-old dinosaur egg nest found on Portuguese coast

Researchers have discovered a nest containing ten dinosaur eggs dating to nearly 150 million years ago on the cliffs of Santa Cruz Beach in Torres Vedras, Portugal. The find, from the Upper Jurassic period, was identified by Carlos Natário of the Centre for Research in Paleobiology and Paleoecology (Ci2Paleo), affiliated with the Torres Vedras Natural History Society. The eggs were preserved in their original nesting arrangement, a rarity in fossil sites. The discovery provides valuable insights into dinosaur reproductive behavior and ancient coastal ecosystems. It adds to Portugal’s growing record of significant Jurassic fossils along the Atlantic coast.

Nest location: Santa Cruz Beach, Torres Vedras, Portugal
Age: Upper Jurassic, ~150 million years ago
Egg count: ten eggs preserved together
Researcher: Carlos Natário, Ci2Paleo
Significance: insight into Jurassic nesting behavior

Rare Jurassic nest with preserved eggs found on Santa Cruz Beach

A rare Jurassic nest containing ten eggs preserved in their original nesting arrangement was discovered on Santa Cruz Beach in the Lisbon district. The site, found within sandstone cliffs, shows eggs remained intact after burial, offering a unique view into nesting strategies during the Upper Jurassic, about 150 million years ago. The team from Ci2Paleo and local heritage authorities documented the site, noting the nest’s preserved condition helps reconstruct ancient parenting behaviors and coastal ecosystem dynamics. The discovery contributes to understanding how dinosaurs lived and reproduced along Portugal’s Atlantic coastline.

Location: Santa Cruz Beach, Lisbon district
Eggs preserved in original nesting arrangement
Time period: Upper Jurassic (~150 Mya)
Researchers: Ci2Paleo with local agencies
Importance: sheds light on nesting strategies

New Triassic reptile Sonselasuchus Cedrus described from Arizona fossils

Scientists have described a new ancient reptile species, Sonselasuchus Cedrus, based on fossils recovered from Petrified Forest National Park in the U.S. state of Arizona. The remains date to the Late Triassic, roughly 225 to 201 million years ago, a period when early archosaurs diversified and coexisted with the earliest dinosaurs. Paleontologists from the University of Washington and the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture led the study, publishing their findings after extensive fossil analysis. The skeleton fragments indicate distinctive skull features and limb proportions that inform discussions on locomotion and feeding. The discovery broadens understanding of prehistoric reptile diversity in North America and helps map archosaur evolution.

Fossils found at Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Species: Sonselasuchus Cedrus
Age: Late Triassic, about 225–201 million years ago
Researchers: University of Washington and Burke Museum
Significance: adds to archosaur diversity in North America

Mar 09, 2026

Sunlight-driven plastic recycling turns waste into acetic acid at Waterloo

Researchers at the University of Waterloo, Canada, report a solar-powered method to convert plastic waste into acetic acid, the primary component of vinegar. The approach uses photocatalysis to break plastics such as PE, PET, PP, and PVC into smaller molecules at room temperature, avoiding high heat and toxic chemicals. Sunlight acts as the energy source to trigger reactions, mirroring natural fungal degradation. The process yields acetic acid without emitting additional CO2, offering a potentially cleaner pathway for recycling plastics. The team, led by Professor Yimin Wu, emphasizes the potential for scale and integration with existing waste streams.

Photocatalytic, room-temperature conversion of plastics to acetic acid
Successful with PE, PET, PP, PVC
Sunlight powers the key reactions
No extra CO2 emissions attributed to the process
Led by Professor Yimin Wu at University of Waterloo

RM Nachammai becomes first woman chief superintendent at a nuclear plant

RM Nachammai has become the first woman to serve as chief superintendent overseeing operations at a functional nuclear power plant run by NPCIL in Karnataka. She takes charge of Kaiga Generating Station Units 3 and 4 from March 15, 2026, directing operations, maintenance, and safety systems. NPCIL Chairman BC Pathak congratulated Nachammai, highlighting her leadership as a milestone for women in India’s nuclear energy sector. The appointment aligns with national goals to expand clean energy capacity toward 100 gigawatts by 2047. The industry notes the role demands high technical expertise and steady oversight of critical reactor functions.

Nachammai to lead Kaiga Units 3 and 4 from 15 March 2026
First woman chief superintendent at a functional NPCIL reactor
Role covers operations, maintenance, safety systems
Supports India’s target of 100 GW nuclear energy by 2047
Ministerial and industry leaders praise milestone

IIT Guwahati and Coventry University Group sign AI healthcare MoU

The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G) and the Coventry University Group (CUG), United Kingdom, formalised a Memorandum of Understanding to advance global research in artificial intelligence and healthcare. The MoU aims to bolster academic mobility, joint research, and collaborative degree programs, strengthening Indo-UK ties in emerging tech. Officials from Coventry University Group, led by Prof. Richard Dashwood, visited IIT Guwahati to seal the agreement and explore joint development. A key component is academic and research mobility, enabling short-term exchanges of faculty and students to share expertise and access advanced research facilities for interdisciplinary projects in technology and healthcare innovation.

MoU signed between IIT-Guwahati and Coventry University Group
Focus on AI in healthcare; joint research and mobility
Aims to expand Indo-UK collaboration in technology
Involves exchanges for faculty and students
Formalisation visit by Coventry officials

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