General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - August 2023

Aug 2023

Jan 05, 2026

India develops 3D-printed Automatic Weather Stations under Mission Mausam

Scientists have begun developing indigenously manufactured Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) using 3D printing under Mission Mausam, a ₹2,000 crore programme to upgrade weather observation and forecasting. The first batch of next-generation AWS is slated for installation in Delhi from February. The project is led by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. The aim is to strengthen last-mile weather data collection nationwide, improving monitoring, early warning, and climate research. The initiative supports a long-term plan to modernize India's meteorological infrastructure and resilience to extreme weather events.

3D-printed AWS under Mission Mausam
Budget: ₹2,000 crore
First batch: Delhi installations from February
Led by IITM, under Ministry of Earth Sciences
Goal: strengthen last-mile weather observation

Smart Green Aquaculture inaugurates RAS-based rainbow trout farm

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) inaugurated the Smart Green Aquaculture Farm and a Recirculatory Aquaculture System (RAS) facility in Telangana. The venture operates India's first commercial-scale tropical RAS Rainbow Trout farm and research institute in Kandukur Mandal, Ranga Reddy District. The facility demonstrates year-round farming of high-value cold-water species in a tropical climate, using precision engineering, controlled biosecurity, and automation. The project aims to provide practical training for youth in advanced aquaculture and promote sustainable, technology-driven farming practices across the country.

Inauguration by Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh)
Location: Kandukur Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, Telangana
First commercial-scale tropical RAS Rainbow Trout farm
Project showcases year-round cold-water species farming
Focus on youth training and tech-enabled aquaculture

Hyderabad startups build mini satellite for ISRO PSLV launch

Two Hyderabad space-tech startups, TakeMe2Space and EON Space Labs, completed testing and integration of a 14-kilogram Earth observation satellite with a mini space telescope named MIRA. The payload was prepared in Ahmedabad and shipped to Sriharikota for an ISRO PSLV launch later this month. The satellite will operate in low Earth orbit at about 500 kilometres, delivering data for commercial and defence applications over a three-to-five year lifespan. The MOI-1 mission involved collaboration with Azista BST Aerospace in Sanand. The project cost was about Rs 2.5 crore, and it aims to showcase private sector capabilities in India’s space program.

Two Hyderabad startups involved: TakeMe2Space, EON Space Labs
15-kg class payload: 14-kg satellite with MIRA telescope
Launch planned on a PSLV mission from Sriharikota
Orbit: ~500 km altitude; lifespan 3–5 years
Project cost: ~₹2.5 crore

Jan 03, 2026

IIT Madras launches IITM Global to become world's first multinational IIT

On 2 January 2026, IIT Madras launched IITM Global, a research foundation aiming to transform the institute into the world's first multinational IIT. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar inaugurated the initiative on the campus, signaling expanded international partnerships, innovation ecosystems, and joint programmes. IITM Global seeks to connect campuses, industry, and startups across borders while preserving IIT Madras's academic standards. The launch also marks the start of IITM Festival Fortnight, including Shaastra 2026 (2–6 January) and Saarang 2026 (8–12 January), which bring technology, culture, and community outreach to students and the public. The move aims to broaden research funding, global mobility, and collaborative education.

IIT Madras launches IITM Global on 2 January 2026.
Aims to become the world’s first multinational IIT.
Jaishankar inaugurates the initiative.
Fortnight events Shaastra (2–6 January) and Saarang (8–12 January).
Seeks to expand international partnerships and research funding.

Jan 02, 2026

Chinese Scientists Discover Eight Water-Formed Caves on Mars

Chinese researchers report eight water‑formed caves in the Hebrus Valles region on Mars, potentially karst formations shaped by dissolved soluble rocks. These caves are the first of their kind identified on another planet and may provide insights into past water activity and habitability. The discovery adds a new dimension to Martian geoscience and expands targets for future exploration missions seeking signs of ancient life or habitable environments. Scientists emphasise the need for follow‑up robotic investigations to confirm cave characteristics and assess any accessible resources below the Martian surface.

Discovery of eight water‑formed caves on Mars (Hebrus Valles).
Caves may be karst formations created by water activity.
First such caves identified beyond Earth; implications for past water on Mars.
Calls for follow‑up missions to study caves and potential resources.

Jan 01, 2026

PathGennie Open-Source Tool for Accelerated Drug Discovery

The Ministry of Science and Technology has released PathGennie, an open-source software tool aimed at speeding up drug discovery. PathGennie predicts whether candidate drugs will unbind from their protein targets without distortions typical of standard methods, helping researchers evaluate binding stability more efficiently. The open-source nature supports collaboration among academic, industry, and start-up groups, potentially reducing development timelines and costs. The project aligns with India’s push to strengthen computational biology and pharmaceutical innovation. Scientists can adapt PathGennie to local drug research pipelines, while the software may attract global contributors to India’s life sciences ecosystem.

PathGennie is an open-source software for drug discovery.
It predicts unbinding of drugs from protein targets without common distortions.
Aims to speed up lead identification and validation.
Open-source nature encourages broad collaboration and reproducibility.
Potential application in Indian pharma and biotech research.

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.

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