General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - April 2023

Apr 2023

Dec 31, 2025

First Global ITVISMA Gene Therapy Administered at Abu Dhabi Hospital

Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Khalifa Medical City became the first hospital globally to administer ITVISMA, a one-time gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy. The treatment, delivered in December 2025 under the supervision of the Department of Health, Abu Dhabi, is developed by Novartis. ITVISMA replaces the defective SMN1 gene to enable production of the survival motor neuron protein. It is a single-dose therapy approved for patients aged two years and above, broadening access beyond infancy. The development marks a milestone in precision medicine and could influence future gene therapies and healthcare policies in the Gulf region.

First global administration of ITVISMA at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City.
Gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy; single-dose.
Developed by Novartis; approved for age two and above.
December 2025 administration under DOH supervision.
Impact on future gene therapies and regional policy.

Dec 30, 2025

Iran Launches Three Satellites with Russian Soyuz Rockets

Iran successfully placed three domestically developed satellites into low-Earth orbit using Russian Soyuz launch vehicles, further underscoring deepening strategic and technological cooperation between the two U.S.-sanctioned countries. The launch took place in December 2025 and was confirmed by Iranian state media.
As per reports, the satellites—Paya, Zafar-2, and a second unit of Kowsar—were carried aboard Russian Soyuz rockets. All three satellites are designed for low-Earth orbit operations. They are intended to support civilian applications such as monitoring agricultural productivity, managing natural resources, and assessing environmental conditions across Iran and neighbouring regions.

Noida International Airport Partners Tech Mahindra for Network, Cyber Security Backbone

Noida International Airport (NIA) partnered with Tech Mahindra to establish and operate an integrated Network and Security Operations Centre (NOC-SOC). The project will provide 24x7 monitoring and management of airport IT infrastructure, including applications, databases, networks, servers and storage. The integrated NOC-SOC is designed for proactive threat detection, rapid incident response and high system availability to support uninterrupted airport operations. The collaboration underscores the airport’s emphasis on cyber resilience as it nears operational launch and integrates advanced digital controls into its core processes.

NIA to host NOC-SOC with Tech Mahindra
24x7 monitoring of IT infrastructure planned
Focus on proactive threat detection and incident response
Aims for high system availability at launch
Highlights emphasis on cyber resilience for airport operations

Dec 29, 2025

Param Rudra Supercomputer Launched at IIT-Patna

The first Param Rudra supercomputer in Bihar was inaugurated at the Indian Institute of Technology Patna. This facility strengthens India’s National Supercomputing Mission and aims to boost advanced research in eastern India. The project was unveiled by Amitesh Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary, MeitY. The new system will support high-performance computing for scientific simulations, data analytics, and engineering research, enabling faster discoveries and collaborations with industry and academia. The Bihar hub is part of a broader national strategy to expand supercomputing capacity across the country.

Param Rudra supercomputer inaugurated at IIT Patna.
Part of India’s National Supercomputing Mission.
Aims to boost eastern India’s research capacity.
Inaugurated by MeitY official Amitesh Kumar Sinha.
Supports high-performance computing for science and engineering.

NTH and DRDO Lab Sign MoU on Research and Testing

The National Test House (NTH) and the Defence Materials and Stores Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE), a DRDO laboratory, signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen collaboration in research, testing, and capacity building. The MoU covers joint testing, shared facilities, and knowledge exchange to accelerate development of defence materials and consumer goods with national importance. Officials emphasise mutual support in testing and evaluation, especially where in-house facilities are limited. This partnership is expected to enhance technical capabilities and speed up validation processes for critical materials and technologies used by defence and civilian sectors.

MoU signed between NTH and DMSRDE (DRDO lab).
Focus on joint research, testing, and capacity building.
Shared facilities and knowledge exchange highlighted.
Aims to accelerate defence material development and validation.
Strengthens national technical capabilities.

Dec 28, 2025

Russia Plans to Build a Nuclear Power Plant on the Moon by 2036

Russia has announced ambitious plans to build a power plant on the Moon by 2036 to support its future lunar missions. The announcement was made by Roscosmos which is Russia's state space agency, as global space powers accelerate efforts to explore and establish a long term presence on the Moon. The proposed plant will supply energy to rovers, scientific observatories, and infrastructure linked to a joint Russian-Chinese lunar base.
According to Roscosmos, the planned power plant will,
Supply energy to lunar rovers
Power a scientific observatory
Support infrastructure of the International Lunar Research Station
Enable a permanently functioning lunar base

Dec 24, 2025

Baahubali rocket carries BlueBird 6 satellite into orbit

India’s LVM3-M6 rocket, nicknamed Baahubali, lifted off from Sriharikota carrying BlueBird 6, a next-generation communications satellite from AST SpaceMobile. The mission aims to enable broadband access directly from space to standard smartphones, without special ground equipment. The launch underscores India’s growing capabilities in space technology and satellite communications and could impact rural connectivity and digital inclusion. The programme involves collaboration with US-based AST SpaceMobile, and the mission demonstrates ongoing expansion of India’s space program and international partnerships in space commerce and technology.

LVM3-M6 launched from Sriharikota with BlueBird 6.
Baahubali mission aims to beam broadband to ordinary smartphones.
Satellite collaboration with AST SpaceMobile (US).
Advances India’s space and telecommunications capabilities.
Implications for rural connectivity and digital inclusion.

IIT Madras Pravartak, ENAC launch aviation safety course

IIT Madras Pravartak Technologies Foundation and France’s ENAC launched a joint Aviation Safety Management (ASM) course, supported by Airbus. The two-year programme targets aviation professionals across airlines, airports, and related agencies. The upcoming batch, beginning February 2026, will admit up to 30 participants with applications open until January 31, 2026. The course covers safety performance, risk management, and organisational safety culture, combining ENAC’s expertise with IIT Madras’ research and industry links. This international collaboration aims to strengthen aviation safety education across India and the region.

ASM programme launched by IITM Pravartak and ENAC (France).
Two-year course; applications open until Jan 31, 2026.
Intake capped at 30 participants; starts February 2026.
Supported by Airbus; focuses on safety management and risk.
Aims to bolster aviation safety education regionally.

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