General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - January 2024

Jan 2024

May 15, 2026

BIRSA 101 workshop on indigenous CRISPR gene therapy for Sickle Cell disease

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, with CSIR and CSIR-IGIB, organized a workshop titled 'BIRSA 101' on 14 May 2026 in New Delhi under Janjatiya Garima Utsav 2026. The event highlights India’s first indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and supports tribal welfare. The project received about Rs 3.75 crore in financial assistance. The festival emphasizes technology as a development driver and aligns with broader tribal health and research goals, fostering genomic research and affordable healthcare interventions for tribal communities. Experts discussed privacy, ethics, and regulatory oversight in implementation.

BIRSA 101 workshop conducted on 14 May 2026 in New Delhi.
Showcases indigenous CRISPR-based gene therapy for SCD.
Rs 3.75 crore support; part of Janjatiya Garima Utsav 2026.
Technology as a development driver highlighted.
Discourse on privacy, ethics, and regulatory oversight.

IMD launches AI weather forecasting products for monsoon regions

The India Meteorological Department introduced two AI-based weather forecasting products aimed at monsoon regions dependent on rain-fed agriculture. The NCMRWF-developed product for Uttar Pradesh offers 1 km resolution rainfall forecasts with lead times up to 10 days, using data from rain gauges, weather stations, satellites, and Doppler radars. The IITM Pune-developed product tracks monsoon progression at district level and covers 3,196 blocks across 16 states and one Union Territory, with updates every Wednesday. Operated under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the tools support agriculture, water resource management, and disaster planning.

Two AI-based forecasting tools for monsoon regions.
NCMRWF product: 1 km resolution, up to 10-day lead time for UP.
IITM product: district-level tracking across 3,196 blocks in 16 states + UT.
Updates provided weekly; overseen by Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Aims to aid agriculture, water management, and disaster planning.

May 14, 2026

IndiaAI Mission signs MoU with Karya to bolster inclusive AI ecosystem

IndiaAI Mission, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, signed a memorandum of understanding with Karya, a nonprofit focused on widening access to AI. The agreement covers development, curation, and sharing of high-quality language and multimodal datasets to support representative AI systems. Partners will work on AI Kosh data infrastructure, evaluation frameworks, and standards for dataset quality, validation, and interoperability. The collaboration also aims to support capacity building and ecosystem development through training programs and workshops across government and partner institutions. IndiaAI Mission Chief Operating Officer Kavita Bhatia described the partnership as combining complementary strengths to create accessible AI resources.

Partnership aims to strengthen inclusive AI in India.
Focus on high-quality datasets and interoperable standards.
Development of AI Kosh data infrastructure and evaluation frameworks.
Includes training and capacity-building programs.
Joint effort involves government and partner institutions.

May 13, 2026

Possible Dwarf Galaxy Loki Found Inside Milky Way

A May 2026 study in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society proposes the existence of a hidden ancient dwarf galaxy named Loki within the Milky Way. The finding is based on chemical and orbital data from 20 metal-poor stars located within 2 kiloparsecs of the Sun. Loki’s stars display a mix of orbital directions, with 11 prograde and 9 retrograde orbits, and show chemical traces linked to supernovae and neutron star mergers. No signs of white dwarf activity are detected. If confirmed, Loki would add to the growing list of merger remnants shaping the Milky Way’s history of galactic evolution.

May 2026 study proposes Loki as a hidden dwarf galaxy
Based on 20 metal-poor stars within 2 kpc of the Sun
Stellar orbits: 11 prograde, 9 retrograde
Chemical traces point to past supernovae and neutron star mergers
No evidence of white dwarf activity observed
If confirmed, Loki would illuminate Milky Way’s merger history

May 12, 2026

China develops AI-assisted nitrate-to-ammonia process for fertilisers

China has developed an AI-powered electrochemical method to convert nitrate-rich wastewater into ammonia for fertiliser production. The system uses a dual-atom catalyst, or DAC, and operates at room temperature, reducing energy compared with traditional Haber-Bosch processes. Artificial intelligence helps identify an efficient catalyst design to improve reaction selectivity. The process treats nitrates from agricultural runoff and some industrial wastewater, producing ammonia as a key fertiliser feedstock. The new route lowers energy needs and emissions, offering a potentially greener route for fertiliser manufacture. Haber-Bosch remains energy-intensive and operates at high temperature and pressure.

AI guides design of a dual-atom catalyst for nitrate-to-ammonia conversion.
Process operates at room temperature, reducing energy use.
Treats nitrates from agricultural and some industrial wastewater.
Ammonia produced is a common fertiliser feedstock.
Offers potential environmental advantages over Haber-Bosch.

May 11, 2026

James Webb Telescope Studies LHS 3844 b, a Rocky Exoplanet

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) directly studied the rocky exoplanet LHS 3844 b, also called Kuꞌkua, on 4 May 2026. Located about 49–50 light‑years away, LHS 3844 b is roughly 30% larger than Earth and is tidally locked, with one hemisphere constantly facing its star. JWST observations using the Mid‑Infrared Instrument (MIRI) contribute to understanding the planet’s surface and thermal properties. Earlier measurements suggested a dark, hot, and atmosphere‑poor world. The findings help scientists compare rocky exoplanets and refine models of planetary formation and heat distribution in close‑in exoplanets.

Observation date: 4 May 2026
Planet: LHS 3844 b (Kuꞌkua)
Distance: ~49–50 light‑years
Size: ~30% larger than Earth
Dynamics: tidally locked; hot dayside
Instrument: JWST MIRI; atmosphere likely absent

India Post Rolls Out DigiPIN Digital Address System

India Post began the rollout of DigiPIN, a Digital Postal Index Number, on 27 May 2025 under the Department of Posts. The system uses geo‑coded digital addresses linked to the postal network for improved mail delivery, tracking, and location identification. DigiPIN maps locations to a 4‑metre by 4‑metre grid and is interoperable with traditional addresses. It complements existing addressing and supports digital services and geospatial applications. Two platforms, Know Your DIGIPIN and Know Your PIN Code, were launched in May 2025, while DHRUVA (Digital Hub for Reference and Unique Virtual Address) trials explored address‑as‑a‑service concepts.

Rollout date: 27 May 2025
System: DigiPIN digital address with geo codes
Grid mapping: 4m x 4m cells
Platforms launched: Know Your DIGIPIN, Know Your PIN Code
Interoperability: complements traditional addresses
DHRUVA trials: address‑as‑a‑service concept

Exoplanet Geology Reveals Basaltic Surface on LHS 3844 b

Researchers analyzed surface heat signatures from LHS 3844 b to study its geology. The results indicate a basaltic or igneous mantle surface rather than an Earth‑like crust rich in silica. This finding aligns with exoplanet geology as a field studying planetary materials beyond the Solar System. The heat analysis, complemented by previous JWST data, suggests a barren, volcanically active or cooled surface with minimal atmospheric retention. Such studies help compare rocky exoplanets, clarifying how composition and thermal evolution shape their geologies and potential habitable conditions in tidally locked worlds.

Method: surface heat analysis
Finding: basaltic/igneous surface, not Earth‑like crust
Field: exoplanet geology
Context: complements JWST data on LHS 3844 b
Implication: informs models of planetary evolution

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