General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - November 2021

Nov 2021

Apr 11, 2026

Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam attains first criticality

India’s Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu attained first criticality on 6 April 2026 at 20:25 IST, marking a major milestone in the country’s three-stage nuclear energy programme. The indigenously designed 500 MWe reactor, developed by BHAVINI, advances fuel-breeding capabilities and long-term energy security. Achieving criticality opens the path to further testing, fuel loading and eventual power generation. The milestone followed years of design and construction work with strong domestic technical and industrial participation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi labeled the development a defining step in India’s civil nuclear journey.

PFBR achieved first criticality on 6 April 2026 at 20:25 IST.
Location: Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu; 500 MWe reactor.
Part of India’s three-stage nuclear energy programme; BHAVINI operator.
Paves way for further testing, fuel loading and power generation.
PM Modi called it a defining step in the civil nuclear journey.

Apr 09, 2026

Deep Jariwala named US Governor’s Chair for Quantum Devices

Indian-origin scientist Deep Jariwala has been named UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair for Quantum Devices, marking a milestone in global scientific leadership. He will assume the role in January 2027, collaborating with the University of Tennessee Knoxville and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The Governor’s Chair program is among the most respected research appointments in the United States, designed to attract top scientists to bridge university research and national laboratory capabilities. Jariwala, a professor at the University of Pennsylvania, will lead efforts in quantum devices and materials science, underscoring India‑US academic and research collaboration in cutting-edge technology.

Deep Jariwala named UT-ORNL Governor’s Chair for Quantum Devices.
Position starts January 2027; collaboration with UT Knoxville and ORNL.
Jariwala is a professor at the University of Pennsylvania.
Governor’s Chair is a prestigious US research appointment.
Highlights ongoing global collaboration in quantum technology.

AI and ML a reality in space missions, says ISRO Chairman

ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan stated that artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have moved from theoretical concepts to essential tools in space missions. Speaking at the second edition of the International Conference on Spacecraft Mission Operations (SMOPS) 2026, Narayanan noted AI and ML, along with cybersecurity and cloud-based systems, are central to modern mission engineering. Officials said AI/ML enable more autonomous and efficient operations with human‑machine synergy. Sessions at SMOPS focused on practical applications, mission data analytics, and future research directions that will shape India’s space program and its collaborations with industry and academia. The conference reflects India’s push to leverage AI in space exploration and security.

ISRO Chair Dr V Narayanan highlights AI/ML as essential for space missions.
AI/ML featured prominently at SMOPS 2026 alongside cybersecurity.
Emphasis on autonomous operations and human‑machine synergy.
Focus on practical applications and data analytics for missions.
Shows India’s commitment to AI in space research and collaboration.

Bank of Baroda launches AI-based bob SAMVAD platform in Mumbai

Bank of Baroda (BoB) has launched an AI-powered platform named bob SAMVAD in Mumbai to improve multilingual customer service at branches. The system allows customers to speak or type in 22 languages, with real-time translation into the staff’s language, and replies translated back, reducing language barriers for diverse customers. The platform, demonstrated at BoB’s Mumbai center, aims to speed up service and enhance accessibility for rural and urban customers alike. It was officially launched on 28 March 2026 by Shri M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, under the Ministry of Finance. Bank officials emphasised inclusive, customer-friendly banking through modern technology.

BoB launched bob SAMVAD in Mumbai to improve multilingual service.
Supports 22 languages with real-time translation both ways.
Aims to reduce language barriers for bank customers.
Official launch on 28 March 2026 by M. Nagaraju, DFS Secretary.
Intended to enhance accessibility for rural and urban customers.

Meta launches Muse Spark AI model

Meta Platforms has introduced Muse Spark, an AI model announced on 9 April 2026 as part of its broader push into advanced machine intelligence. Muse Spark is described as a lightweight yet powerful model, optimized for speed and efficiency, capable of handling complex queries across science, mathematics, and healthcare. It represents a foundational system within Meta’s AI strategy, with more capable iterations already under development. Meta emphasises balancing performance with practicality, aiming to deliver useful AI tools while advancing research into next‑generation reasoning. Industry observers expect Muse Spark to influence future product developments and collaborations in AI research.

Meta launches Muse Spark AI model on 9 April 2026.
Designed to be lightweight but powerful, fast and efficient.
Handles complex queries across science, math, and healthcare.
Foundational system in Meta’s AI strategy with ongoing iterations.
Expected to influence future products and research collaborations.

UAE launches world’s first 10G U6GHz internet network

The United Arab Emirates unveiled the world’s first commercial upper 6GHz (U6GHz) internet network at the SAMENA Council Leaders’ Summit 2026, making the UAE the first '10 giga' nation. The rollout is led by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) in collaboration with leading global telecom stakeholders. The U6GHz band spans 6425–7125 MHz and is described as a golden spectrum due to wider coverage and higher data capacity. It enables seamless handling of high traffic, supporting advanced wireless applications for consumers and businesses, including augmented reality, smart city services, and large-scale IoT deployments. This positions the UAE as a pioneer in next‑generation connectivity.

UAE launches the world’s first commercial U6GHz 10G internet network.
TDRA leads rollout with global telecom partners.
U6GHz spectrum spans 6425–7125 MHz; called a golden spectrum.
Benefits include wider coverage and higher data capacity.
Expected to enable AR, smart cities, and IoT applications.

Apr 08, 2026

Astronomers identify unusual solar system with two Earth-like planets

Astronomers have identified a peculiar planetary system about 120 light-years from Earth, hosting two Earth-like rocky planets often called super-Earths. The configuration is unusual because a rocky planet lies beyond gas giants, contrasting common models of planetary formation. The system provides a valuable compare-and-contrast opportunity to study planetary evolution under similar stellar conditions. Researchers used high precision telescopes and spectral analysis to detect the planets and assess their sizes and orbits. While the planets resemble Earth in size and composition, researchers caution that their atmospheres and habitability remain unknown and require further observation with future missions.

Planetary system located ~120 light-years away
Contains two rocky Earth-like planets (super-Earths)
Unusual arrangement with rocky planet beyond gas giants
Challenges standard planetary formation models
Future observations needed to assess atmospheres/habitability
Discovery aided by high-precision telescopes

Apr 06, 2026

Microsoft unveils MAI-Transcribe-1 AI speech-to-text with 25 languages

Microsoft introduced MAI-Transcribe-1, a fast and cost-effective AI speech-to-text model described as highly accurate. The system reports a Word Error Rate around 3.9 percent and supports 25 global languages, including Hindi, English, French, and Chinese. It has secured top ranking on the FLUERS benchmark across multiple languages and outperformed Google Gemini 3.1 Flash in 11 of 14 tested languages. The launch signals rising competition among technology firms to deliver efficient transcription tools for a wide range of users and applications, including media, business, and accessibility.

MAI-Transcribe-1 is a Microsoft AI transcription model.
Word Error Rate around 3.9% with 25 languages including Hindi.
Top FLUERS benchmark performance; outperforms Google Gemini 3.1 in 11/14 languages.
Aims to improve speed, cost, and accuracy of transcription tasks.
Applications span media, business, and accessibility.

Jitendra Singh inaugurates BIRAC-BioNEST Incubation Centre at CFTRI

The BIRAC-BioNEST Incubation Centre at the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) was inaugurated by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Science and Technology. The event marks a significant step in strengthening India’s food innovation ecosystem. The facility provides modern incubation space and shared research infrastructure to nurture early-stage and growth-stage startups in food technology and biotechnology. It aims to bridge laboratory research with commercial applications and feature startup-driven technologies in the accompanying exhibition. The move supports translation of scientific ideas into market-ready products and growth of the agri-food sector.

Inauguration by Dr. Jitendra Singh at CFTRI.
BIRAC-BioNEST incubator to bolster food tech/biotech startups.
Provides incubation space and shared infrastructure.
Aims to translate research to market-ready products.
Part of broader push to strengthen India’s food innovation ecosystem.

Apr 04, 2026

India launches Multi-Hazard Early Warning DSS under Mission Mausam

India is advancing disaster risk management with the Multi-Hazard Early Warning Decision Support System (MHEW-DSS). Developed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Ministry of Earth Sciences, MHEW-DSS translates meteorological data into actionable warnings. Built with open-source technology and in-house expertise, the platform supports real-time weather monitoring across cyclones, floods, heatwaves, droughts, and landslides. Introduced as a key digital transformation under Mission Mausam, the system strengthens early warning capabilities, facilitating timely evacuations and safer responses by governments, communities, and emergency responders.

MHEW-DSS developed by IMD and MoES
Open-source technology and in-house development
Translates data into actionable warnings
Covers cyclones, floods, heatwaves, droughts, landslides
Part of Mission Mausam
Strengthens real-time monitoring and response

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