General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - January 2025

Jan 2025

Dec 21, 2025

BlueBird Satellite Launch

Space PSU NewSpace India Limited (Nsil), which has a contract to put into orbit US' commercial satellite "BlueBird Block-2" or "BlueBird-6" through Isro's LVM-3, will implement the launch on December 24.
As per AST SpaceMobile, its next-generation BlueBird satellites are designed to deliver 24/7 high-speed cellular broadband to everyday smartphones worldwide.
"These advanced satellites feature nearly 2,400 square feet arrays, which will make them the largest commercial phased arrays ever deployed in low Earth orbit, surpassing the previous record held by our first-generation BlueBirds at 693 square feet," the firm said, describing the latest satellite.

Dec 19, 2025

NASA Space Apps Challenge 2025: Indian team wins Most Inspirational Award

An Indian team, Photonics Odyssey from Chennai, won NASA’s 2025 International Space Apps Challenge with a sovereign, phased‑array satellite internet concept aimed at expanding broadband in remote regions. The project envisions connecting over 700 million people currently without reliable internet and reduces ground dependency. NASA reported participation from over 1,14,000 people in 551 local events across 167 countries. The win showcases India’s talent in space and communications technology and could influence future public‑private partnerships in rural connectivity.

Winners: Photonics Odyssey (Chennai)
Project: phased‑array satellite internet for remote regions
India impact: aims to connect 700+ million people
NASA participation: 1,14,000+ people, 167 countries
Significance: strengthens India’s space and telecom innovation

Truecaller launches AI-powered voicemail with multilingual transcription

Truecaller launched an AI-powered voicemail feature for Android users in December 2025, offering instant transcription and robust spam protection. Voicemails are stored on the user’s device and categorized with smart filtering. The transcription supports 12 Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Gujarati, Nepali, Punjabi, Sanskrit, and Urdu, with adjustable playback speed. The service aims to improve accessibility and message management for mobile users while preserving device privacy by keeping data locally.

AI-powered voicemail for Android
Instant transcription in 12 Indian languages
Voicemails stored on device; on-device processing
Smart call categorization and spam filtering
Playback speed adjustment feature

Dec 18, 2025

India-Argentina Work Plan 2025–27 on agricultural research

India and Argentina signed a Work Plan for 2025–27 to deepen bilateral cooperation in agricultural research and technology exchange between ICAR and INTA. The agreement covers natural resource management, sustainable agronomy, crop and animal biotechnology, livestock improvement, digital agriculture, and value chain development. It also includes germplasm exchange for crops such as soybean, sunflower, maize, blueberry, citrus, and vegetables, plus joint research projects, germplasm sharing, and study visits. The collaboration will be implemented through joint projects and training initiatives, with high-level officials overseeing the agreement’s rollout to advance agricultural innovation in both countries.

Work Plan 2025–27 between ICAR (India) and INTA (Argentina).
Focus on natural resource management, digital agriculture, biotech.
Germplasm exchange includes soybean, blueberry, citrus, and more.
Joint research projects and training to be conducted.

IIT-Bombay, Vertiv to enhance AI data-centre cooling

IIT Bombay has partnered with digital infrastructure provider Vertiv to develop advanced cooling solutions for AI-powered data centres. With 54 percent of Indian businesses using AI and GPU power consumption rising from 700 W in 2022 to an expected 1,200 W in 2025, efficient cooling is critical. The collaboration aims to address evolving thermal demands, while creating a pipeline of industry-ready engineering talent through joint training and research initiatives. The effort seeks scalable, energy-efficient cooling strategies to support expanding AI workloads across India’s digital economy.

IIT Bombay collaborates with Vertiv on AI data-centre cooling.
GPU loads rising; cooling critical for efficiency.
Joint training and research to build talent pipeline.
Aims for scalable, energy-efficient cooling solutions.

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.

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