General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - December 2024

Dec 2024

Feb 18, 2026

New Diplura Species Described by ZSI in the Himalayas

Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India describe a new Diplura species from the eastern Himalayas, named Lepidocampa sikkimensis. Published on 7 January 2026 in the journal Zootaxa, the wingless, soil‑dwelling microarthropod represents the first Diplura described by an Indian team in nearly five decades. Diplurans are primitive hexapods, blind and soil‑dwelling, commonly called two‑pronged bristletails. The discovery sheds light on ancient hexapod lineages and highlights ongoing biodiversity research by Indian institutions in a high‑altitude region. ([biospectrumindia.com](https://www.biospectrumindia.com/news/16/27153/23rd-edition-of-bioasia-to-take-place-on-17-18-feb-2026-in-hyderabad.html?utm_source=openai))

New Diplura species Lepidocampa sikkimensis described
Published in Zootaxa on 7 January 2026
First Indian team to formally describe a Diplura in decades
Diplurans are wingless, soil‑dwelling hexapods
Highlights Himalayan biodiversity research

BioAsia 2026 Opens in Hyderabad Under TechBio Unleashed Theme

The 23rd BioAsia 2026 Summit began at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre on 17 February 2026 and runs through 18 February 2026. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy inaugurated the two‑day international life sciences conference, which positions the state as a growing TechBio hub. The theme ‘TechBio Unleashed – AI, Automation, and the Revolutionary Changes in Life Sciences’ highlights AI‑driven drug discovery, automated biologics production, and data‑powered healthcare delivery. Delegates from industry, academia and government will explore research partnerships, investment avenues, and regulatory frameworks to accelerate timelines. Telangana aims to attract global capability centers and partnerships in vaccines, digital health, and biopharma manufacturing. ([bioasia.in](https://www.bioasia.in/2026/?utm_source=openai))

Inauguration by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on 17 February 2026
Conference held at Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC) over two days
Theme emphasizes AI, automation and biology revolution
Focus on AI-driven R&D, digital health and manufacturing
Aim to position Hyderabad as a global life sciences hub

BioAsia 2026 Spurs Major Investments in Hyderabad GCCs and Life‑Sciences Infrastructure

Web reports from BioAsia 2026 sessions indicate major investments in Hyderabad’s Global Capability Centers and life‑sciences infrastructure. U.S. analytics firm Tredence announced a healthcare AI innovation hub; Sanofi spinoff Opella Healthcare expanded its GCC footprint; Indonesian firm Vaksindo Animal Health plans a vaccine facility; Rx Propellant announced a ₹1,000 crore life‑sciences campus with extensive lab space; Novartis marked 25 years in India and highlighted Hyderabad as its largest GCC outside Basel. The summit showcased Hyderabad’s bid to become a global bio‑economy nexus, with public‑private partnerships accelerating R&D and manufacturing. ([timesofindia.indiatimes.com](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/investments-in-hyderabad-gccs-vaccine-rd-facilities-announced-at-bioasia-2026/articleshow/128470415.cms?utm_source=openai))

Tredence to open healthcare AI hub
Opella Healthcare expands GCC presence
Vaksindo Animal Health to build vaccine plant
Rx Propellant to invest ₹1,000 crore
Novartis cites Hyderabad GCC significance

Feb 17, 2026

AIIMS Conducts Real-Time Ultrasound from Antarctica via Tele-Robotics

AIIMS, New Delhi, conducted a real-time ultrasound on a patient at Maitri research station in Antarctica, about 12,000 kilometres away. A tele-robotic diagnostic system linked India’s experts with the remote site, enabling a live ultrasound examination from a distance. This breakthrough demonstrates telemedicine’s potential in extreme environments and could expand access to specialist care for remote researchers and international collaborations. Reportedly the first deployment of such a system at any Antarctic station, the development may pave the way for broader remote diagnostic capabilities in challenging terrains and during long-duration missions.

Location: Maitri research station, Antarctica.
Distance: ~12,000 km from India.
Technology: tele-robotic ultrasound system.
Significance: remote diagnostics in extreme environments.
First known deployment at an Antarctic station.

Feb 16, 2026

Four New Astronauts Arrive at the International Space Station

The International Space Station (ISS) has welcomed four new astronauts who will stay for eight to nine months. NASA’s Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway join France’s Sophie Adenot and Russia’s Andrei Fedyaev. The arrival follows NASA’s first medical evacuation in 65 years of human spaceflight last month. The new crew will conduct experiments and support station operations, while the health-related incident prompted renewed emphasis on crew safety and readiness. The ISS remains a platform for international cooperation in space research.

Crew: Meir, Hathaway, Adenot, Fedyaev
Mission duration: eight to nine months
Follows NASA’s first medical evacuation in 65 years
Crew conducts experiments and supports operations
Emphasis on crew safety and station readiness

India AI Impact Summit Begins Today; PM Modi Highlights Global Participation

The India AI Impact Summit begins today in New Delhi, attracting global participation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed participants and described the summit as a milestone for the Global South. The India AI Impact Expo 2026 runs from 16 to 20 February at Bharat Mandapam, with the Prime Minister inaugurating the expo at 1700 hours on Monday. The theme Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya reflects a shared commitment to human-centric AI progress. The event brings together world leaders, policymakers, researchers and industry players to discuss governance, standards and ethical AI deployment.

Expo runs 16–20 February; Modi inaugurates at 1700 hours
Theme: Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya
Global participation; leaders and researchers engaged
Focus on governance, standards and ethical AI
Highlights India’s role in global AI governance

India to Host First-Ever Global South AI Impact Summit 2026

New Delhi, 16 February 2026 — The AI Impact Summit 2026 opened in New Delhi at Bharat Mandapam, marking a historic moment as the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South. The five-day event brings together leaders and experts from more than 100 countries to discuss governance and cooperation on artificial intelligence. Ministerial delegations from over 45 nations are expected. India positions itself as a bridge between developed and developing nations to shape responsible AI policies. The summit will cover standards, safety, ethics, and international collaboration to guide AI deployment worldwide.

Five-day summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
First global AI summit in the Global South
Participants from 100+ countries; 45+ ministerial delegations
Focus on governance, standards, safety, and ethics
India positions itself as a hub for responsible AI policy

Feb 15, 2026

India Opens First National Biobank for Lysosomal Storage Disorders

India has launched its first government-supported national biobank dedicated to Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs). Researchers from 28 institutions across six states and two Union Territories have compiled data on 530 patients from 15 states. Funded by the Department of Biotechnology, the biobank integrates biological samples with clinical, biochemical, and genetic data to support affordable screening tools and therapies for LSDs in children. LSDs are a group of over 70 rare inherited metabolic conditions caused by enzyme deficiencies, which can lead to progressive organ damage. The biobank aims to accelerate diagnosis, research, and development of Indian-specific therapies.

National LSD biobank established
28 institutions across 6 states and 2 UTs involved
530 patients data across 15 states
Funded by the Department of Biotechnology
Aims to advance affordable diagnostics and therapies

Feb 14, 2026

India becomes world’s No. 2 smartphone market by active installed base

India has become the world’s second-largest active smartphone market, behind China, according to Counterpoint Research’s 2025 findings. The country now counts over 740 million active smartphones, representing more than half of its 1.45 billion population. The term active installed base denotes devices currently in use, not merely shipments. This milestone underscores India’s rapid digital growth, broad consumer base and a robust mobile ecosystem. Analysts highlight loyalty and long-term device usage as factors boosting the market. The trend has implications for data usage, app development and policy support aimed at further expanding digital inclusion and electronics manufacturing.

Rank: No. 2 globally in active smartphones
Active base: >740 million in India
Compared to: China (leader)
Definition: devices currently in use
Implications: digital inclusion, app markets, manufacturing
Source: Counterpoint Research, 2025 report

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