General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - April 2023

Apr 2023

Dec 17, 2025

India plans Maitri II: Antarctic research station to be completed by 2032

India plans to establish Maitri II, a next-generation research station in East Antarctica, with a target completion year of 2032. Maitri II will replace Maitri I (operational since 1989) and feature an all-weather facility with modern laboratories and enhanced logistics. The new station aims to support climate studies, glaciology, and environmental monitoring with advanced data collection capabilities. The project reflects India’s long-term commitment to polar science, international collaboration, and sustainable operations in extreme conditions, while expanding the country’s capacity for year-round scientific research in the Antarctic region.

Maitri II targeted for 2032 completion.
East Antarctica location; Maitri I (1989) being replaced.
All-weather facility with modern labs and logistics.
Focus on climate science, glaciology, and environmental monitoring.
Strengthens India’s long-term polar research presence.

IIT Kanpur partners with Unicorn Incubator for UpStart 2025 in Korea

IIT Kanpur’s Entrepreneurship Cell partnered with Unicorn Incubator, a South Korean firm, to bring UpStart 2025, its flagship business model pitching competition, to the Korean Peninsula. The event was held in Seoul at KITA Startup Space, COEX, and hosted 12 start-ups, with participation from Indian Startup India delegates and investors. Evify, a regional winner, joined the Indian delegation at the international venue. The collaboration aims to provide mentorship, resources, and global market exposure to early-stage founders, strengthening cross-border innovation ecosystems and supporting Indian tech entrepreneurship on a global stage.

IIT Kanpur partners with Unicorn Incubator for UpStart 2025.
Event held in Seoul, South Korea (KITA Startup Space, COEX).
12 start-ups participated; Evify among winners.
Strengthens cross-border mentorship and investment links.
Supports global exposure for Indian tech entrepreneurs.

Dec 16, 2025

ISRO Plans Seven Space Launches by March 2026

ISRO has disclosed plans for at least seven space launch missions by March 2026, including the Gaganyaan unmanned mission as part of its human spaceflight program. The schedule signals an active phase for India’s space agency, pursuing satellite technology, space services, and strategic capability. The plan underscores ISRO’s role in national development and its contribution to the global space economy, with emphasis on meticulous mission planning, safety, and industry collaboration to ensure timely outcomes while expanding India’s space footprint.

ISRO outlines seven launches by March 2026, including Gaganyaan unmanned mission.
Focus on national development and space economy growth.
Emphasis on safety, planning, and industry collaboration.

Maha CrimeOS AI Platform to Speed Up Cybercrime Investigations

MahaCrimeOS AI, an artificial intelligence-powered platform, was unveiled to help Maharashtra Police accelerate cybercrime investigations. The system was developed jointly by CyberEye (a Microsoft partner), the MARVEL state vehicle, and the Microsoft India Development Centre. It is currently live in 23 police stations across Nagpur, with phased rollout planned to all 1,100 police stations in the state. MahaCrimeOS AI integrates data analytics, predictive tools, and streamlined casework, aiming to enhance investigative speed while preserving privacy and legal compliance.

MahaCrimeOS AI platform launched for Maharashtra Police.
Developed by CyberEye, MARVEL, and Microsoft IDC.
Currently active in 23 stations; rollout to 1,100 stations planned.
Features: data analytics, predictive policing, efficient casework.

DHRUV64: India Launches Indigenous 1.0 GHz Microprocessor

India announced the launch of DHRUV64, the nation’s first fully indigenous 1.0 GHz microprocessor developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the Microprocessor Development Programme (MDP). DHRUV64 aims to bolster domestic processor capability for strategic and commercial use. The processor features modern architecture, improved multitasking, and reliability, enabling integration with a range of hardware systems. Potential applications span 5G infrastructure, automotive electronics, consumer devices, and IoT. Experts say the milestone strengthens India’s chip-design self-reliance and could attract further investment and technology transfer.

DHRUV64 is India's first fully indigenous 1.0 GHz processor.
Developed by C-DAC under the MDP program.
Aims to support strategic and commercial applications.
Enhances 5G, automotive tech, IoT, and electronics sectors.

NTPC, NETRA and CSIR Win DV Kapur Energy Innovation Awards

NTPC, NETRA, and CSIR scientists received the DV Kapur Foundation Energy Innovation Awards for technological breakthroughs in clean energy and efficiency. The December 2025 ceremony in New Delhi recognized two main categories: young innovators under 38, with Dr. Achu Chandran of CSIR-NIIST receiving the top accolade for Nano Electricity Generators; and organisational innovation for Green Coal Technologies led by NTPC's NETRA. The awards spotlight India’s push to promote indigenous energy solutions, decarbonization, and sustainable power systems, encouraging further research and industry collaboration across energy sectors.

DV Kapur Energy Innovation Awards presented to NTPC, NETRA, CSIR teams.
Dr. Achu Chandran (CSIR-NIIST) wins Young Innovators category.
Other category honours Green Coal Technologies (NTPC/NETRA).
Promotes indigenous energy solutions and decarbonization.

Dec 15, 2025

India ranks third in Stanford AI Vibrancy Index 2025 study

India ranked third in Stanford University’s Global AI Vibrancy Tool, 2025 edition, reflecting strong performance across seven pillars: research and development, responsible AI, economy, talent, policy and governance, public opinion, and infrastructure. The 2024 data underpinning the ranking placed India at 21.59, ahead of the UK and South Korea. The study credits India’s innovation index and economic competitiveness as drivers of its climb from seventh to third between 2023 and 2024. The index tracks national readiness for AI adoption and signals ongoing growth in India’s AI ecosystem and related policy initiatives.

India ranks 3rd in Stanford AI Vibrancy Index 2025
Seven pillars include R&D, policy, infrastructure
India score: 21.59 in 2024 data (contextual)
Leap from 7th to 3rd between 2023 and 2024

Dec 13, 2025

Sympol 2025 hosts ocean technology discussions at CUSAT

Sympol 2025, the Ocean Technology International Symposium, was held at Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT). The two-day event, organized by the Department of Electronics in association with the IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society, brought together researchers, technologists, and industry experts from around the world. The event was inaugurated by Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory director Duvvuri Seshagiri, with CUSAT vice-chancellor M. Junaid Bushiri presiding. In his address, Seshagiri highlighted the growing importance of ocean technology for national security, climate research, underwater sensing, and autonomous marine systems. Attendees discussed collaborations and funding for future ocean tech initiatives.

Sympol 2025 at CUSAT; two-day event.
Organized with IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society.
Inaugurated by Duvvuri Seshagiri; presided by M. Junaid Bushiri.
Topics: national security, climate research, underwater sensing, autonomous systems.
Emphasis on academia-industry collaboration.

Dec 12, 2025

Google appoints Amin Vahdat as Chief Technologist for AI Infrastructure

Google has appointed Amin Vahdat as the new Chief Technologist for AI Infrastructure, a senior leadership role guiding the company’s AI computing backbone. In this capacity, Vahdat will oversee architectural choices and the long-term vision for Google’s data centers, networking, and accelerators used in training and running large-scale AI models and cloud workloads. The appointment emphasizes Google’s intensified focus on strengthening hardware and software foundations to power next-generation AI services. Industry observers see this move as part of a broader trend among tech giants to invest in custom silicon, high-performance computing, and energy-efficient systems to sustain rapid AI progress.

Amin Vahdat appointed as Chief Technologist for AI Infrastructure at Google.
Role covers data centers, networking, and AI accelerators for training and inference.
Signals Google’s emphasis on scalable AI computing backbone.
Reflects industry trend toward significant investment in AI hardware and energy efficiency.
Vahdat will report to the Chief Technology Officer.
Part of Google’s broader AI strategy for cloud and enterprise workloads.

Indian Railways tests first hydrogen-powered train as part of green initiative

India’s national transporter has begun testing its first hydrogen-powered train as a pilot to demonstrate clean propulsion for future rail travel. The project follows standards set by the Research, Design & Standards Organisation and includes a plan to establish a dedicated hydrogen plant at Jind to produce fuel through electrolysis. Officials say the trial aligns with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat goals and climate commitments by showcasing hydrogen as a viable, green energy option for rail networks. If successful, the initiative could accelerate the adoption of hydrogen fuel cells in inland and regional rail corridors.

Hydrogen-powered train tested by Indian Railways as a pilot.
Standards guided by the Research, Design & Standards Organisation (RDSO).
Hydrogen production plant planned at Jind via electrolysis.
Part of India’s sustainable transport and Atmanirbhar Bharat goals.
Potential to scale hydrogen propulsion in rail networks.

Sarbananda Sonowal flags off India’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel-cell vessel

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off India’s first indigenous hydrogen fuel-cell vessel at Varanasi's Namo Ghat, inaugurating its commercial operation. The 24-meter catamaran can carry about 50 passengers and operates with a hydrogen fuel-cell system, supported by a hydrogen plant planned nearby to produce fuel through electrolysis. The vessel integrates solar power and battery storage to deliver a clean propulsion system with zero emissions and reduced noise. The initiative, part of Harit Nauka and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision, aims to modernize inland waterways and showcase India’s capability in green transport technologies.

First indigenous hydrogen fuel-cell vessel flagged off in Varanasi (11 December 2025).
Hydrogen propulsion with LT-PEM fuel cells; 24 m length; 50 passengers.
Hydrogen produced via electrolysis at a planned plant near Jind or similar site.
Part of Harit Nauka and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision to modernize waterways.

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