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SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - March 2025

Mar 2025

May 30, 2026

India launches its first SkyCast weather system at Delhi's IGI Airport

India launched its first SkyCast System at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, a forecast-based aviation weather intelligence system. SkyCast provides real-time weather information to improve flight safety, reduce weather-related delays, and support smoother airport operations, particularly during fog and adverse conditions. The system integrates radar, satellite data, and on-ground sensors to generate timely alerts for air traffic controllers and pilots. Officials say SkyCast will strengthen decision-making, optimize flight schedules, and mitigate disruptions caused by weather. The Delhi launch marks a milestone in India’s aviation resilience and aligns with efforts to modernize critical infrastructure and enhance passenger experience. Future deployments are planned at other major airports.

First SkyCast weather system launched at Delhi's IGI Airport
Provides real-time aviation weather intelligence to improve safety and reduce delays
Integrates radar, satellite data and on-ground sensors
Aims to enhance airport operations during fog and adverse weather
Plans for deployment at other major airports

NETRA A2000 Edge AI System-on-Chip unveiled by Netrasemi

Kerala-based semiconductor start-up Netrasemi unveiled NETRA A2000, India’s first Edge AI System-on-Chip. The chip is designed for on-device AI applications such as smart cameras, video analytics, and edge AI platforms, marking an important step in India’s semiconductor design ecosystem. It aims to bring AI processing closer to data sources, reducing latency and enhancing privacy. The company envisions collaborations with device makers and verticals like security, smart cities, and industrial automation. Analysts view NETRA A2000 as a milestone for India’s push to build indigenous chip technology and to expand opportunities for start-ups in the hardware sector. Industry observers say NETRA A2000 could anchor domestic supply chains and spur further hardware R&D investment.

First Edge AI System-on-Chip for India: NETRA A2000
Designed for on-device AI applications (cameras, analytics, edge platforms)
Kerala-based start-up Netrasemi developed the chip
Aims to reduce latency and enhance privacy by processing on device
Potential to anchor domestic supply chains and spur hardware R&D investment

May 29, 2026

IAF and IIT-Bombay ink contracts for predictive maintenance of Su-30 MKI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has signed three contracts with IIT Bombay to adopt predictive maintenance for the Su-30 MKI aircraft. The aim is to implement prognostic and prescriptive maintenance using indigenous expertise to lower service costs, improve aircraft availability and extend fleet life. The signing was led by Air Marshal KAA Sanjeeb and IIT Bombay Director Shireesh B Kedare. Officials say the collaboration advances Aatmanirbharta in strategic technologies and showcases Indian aerospace innovation. IIT-Bombay described the partnership as a major step toward data-driven, self-reliant maintenance solutions for national defence aviation.

Three contracts with IIT Bombay for Su-30 MKI maintenance.
Focus on predictive, prognostic and prescriptive maintenance.
Indigenous expertise to reduce costs and improve availability.
Leadership: Air Marshal Sanjeeb; IIT Bombay director Kedare.
Supports Aatmanirbharta and self-reliant defence technology.

May 28, 2026

Blue Origin wins NASA lunar mission contract

Blue Origin won a NASA contract on 26 May 2026 to deliver lunar rovers and related equipment as part of NASA’s Moon Base initiative, targeting a sustained human presence at the lunar south pole by the 2030s. The initial contract is valued at at least 188 million dollars, with an option period of 280.4 million dollars for additional tasks. NASA also awarded 439 million dollars in total to Astrolab and Lunar Outpost for lunar terrain vehicle development. The awards reflect a broader push to establish surface infrastructure for future robotic and human exploration on the Moon.

Contract awarded on 26 May 2026
Initial value: at least $188 million
Option period: up to $280.4 million
NASA also awarded $439 million to Astrolab and Lunar Outpost
Part of NASA’s Moon Base initiative

May 27, 2026

Loktak Protocluster discovered dating to 12.6 billion years ago

Astronomers led by Ronaldo Laishram from the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan reported the discovery of a galaxy protocluster named Loktak Protocluster, dating to about 12.6 billion years after the Big Bang, when the universe was roughly 1.2 billion years old. The structure contains four connected concentrations of galaxies and was observed using data from the Subaru Telescope and the James Webb Space Telescope. It is named after Loktak Lake in Manipur, drawing a parallel to the lake’s floating phumdis. This finding helps scientists understand early galaxy formation and cluster assembly; future observations across wavelengths are planned to refine its properties.

Age of universe at discovery: ~1.2 billion years
Protocluster age: ~12.6 billion years after Big Bang
Contains four connected galaxy concentrations
Observed with Subaru Telescope and JWST
Named after Loktak Lake, Manipur

India's first hydrogen-powered train approved for Jind-Sonipat line

Railways has approved operation of India's first hydrogen-powered 10-coach DEMU train on the Jind-Sonipat line in Haryana. The train will reach a top speed of 75 kilometres per hour and will draw power from hydrogen fuel cells, avoiding diesel and traditional electric traction. With a total power output of about 1,200 kilowatts, the system uses Distributed Power Rolling Stock technology to distribute power along the train. The approval from the Ministry of Railways followed technical clearance from the Research Designs and Standards Organisation. The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation has authorised refuelling of compressed hydrogen gas at Jind. The move signals a broader push toward cleaner mobility in Indian rail corridors.

Route: Jind–Sonipat, Haryana
Train type: 10-coach DEMU, hydrogen-powered
Top speed: 75 km/h; Power: ~1,200 kW
Tech: Distributed Power Rolling Stock; RDSO clearance
Fuel: Hydrogen; Refuelling authorised at Jind

India records 191 cockroach species; DNA barcode library

India now records 191 cockroach species, with more than 60 percent endemic to the country, according to a Zoological Survey of India study published in Zootaxa. The research also documents India's first and largest DNA barcode reference library for cockroaches, generating more than 100 high-quality DNA barcodes to aid species identification and taxonomic classification. DNA barcoding uses a short gene sequence, typically mitochondrial COI, to distinguish closely related species and resolve disputes where external features are similar. The study highlights the expanding biodiversity catalog and the role of molecular tools in taxonomy, which supports conservation planning and bio-surveillance efforts nationwide.

Total species recorded: 191
Endemic species: >60%
DNA barcode library: >100 barcodes
Marker used: mitochondrial COI
Implications: taxonomy, conservation, bio-surveillance

May 26, 2026

Sahasra Semiconductors inaugurates Bhiwadi facility

Sahasra Semiconductors inaugurated a new facility at Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, described as India’s first SME-led semiconductor ATMP/OSAT facility. ATMP/OSAT plants perform assembly, testing, marking and packaging of chips, a crucial step in semiconductor supply chains. The project supports India’s semiconductor mission, helping domestic players participate in value-added manufacturing. It also marks Rajasthan’s entry into the semiconductor ecosystem, potentially creating jobs and stimulating local investment. Industry observers see this as a milestone for private sector participation in electronics manufacturing and a forward step in building resilience in supply chains.

Facility at Bhiwadi is SME-led for ATMP/OSAT.
ATMP/OSAT handles assembly, testing, packaging of chips.
Supports India’s semiconductor mission and domestic capacity.
Marks Rajasthan’s entry into the semiconductor ecosystem.
Could boost jobs, investment, and supply-chain resilience.

Chandrayaan-3 earns AIAA Goddard Award

Chandrayaan-3 has been honoured with the Goddard Astronautics Award by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). The award recognises the successful lunar landing near the Moon’s south polar region, a historic achievement for India’s space program. ISRO’s mission demonstrates technical excellence, mission design, and execution capabilities. The recognition reinforces India’s status in space exploration and motivates students, researchers, and engineers in India and abroad. The award adds to a growing list of accolades for Chandrayaan-3, underscoring collaboration between Indian scientists and international partners in advancing lunar science.

Chandrayaan-3 awarded AIAA Goddard Astronautics Award.
Recognises successful landing near Moon’s south polar region.
Highlights India’s advanced space program and technical prowess.
Inspires students and researchers in space science.
Strengthens India’s global space collaboration.

Dr Soumya Swaminathan elected Royal Society Fellow

Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization, has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. Her work in tuberculosis research, public health, and global health policy is recognised by this prestigious honour. Swaminathan previously served as Director-General of the Indian Council of Medical Research, contributing to India’s health research landscape. The Royal Society fellowship recognises lifetime scientific contributions and leadership across disciplines. This selection highlights Indian leadership in health science on the world stage and may inspire future scientists and students in India and abroad.

Dr Soumya Swaminathan elected Royal Society Fellow.
Former WHO Chief Scientist recognised for health research.
Previously led Indian Council of Medical Research.
Royal Society fellowship signifies lifetime scientific contribution.
Boosts visibility of Indian health science internationally.

Drishti satellite: India's private imaging milestone

Drishti is described as India's largest private satellite, developed by Bengaluru-based space-tech startup GalaxEye. It claims to be the world’s first platform combining optical and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imaging on a single platform, enabling day-night and all-weather Earth observation. The mission supports agriculture, disaster management, defence, and geospatial intelligence, expanding the private space sector in India. The launch marks a significant milestone for private-public collaboration in space technology and could complement government satellite programs by providing commercial remote-sensing capabilities and data services to various sectors.

Drishti: private satellite by GalaxEye, Bengaluru.
First to merge optical and SAR imaging on one platform.
Day-night, all-weather Earth observation capability.
Applications: agriculture, disaster management, defence, geospatial intel.
Significant milestone for India’s private space sector.

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