General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - July 2025

Jul 2025

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

Feb 12, 2026

Kauvery Hospital Launches Robotic Beating Heart Bypass Surgery Programme

Bengaluru, 12 February 2026 — Kauvery Hospital has launched a beating‑heart coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) programme using the fourth‑generation da Vinci robotic system. The minimally invasive procedure allows surgeons to perform grafts through small keyhole incisions without stopping the heart or using a heart‑lung machine. This approach reduces surgical trauma and can shorten recovery times for patients with coronary artery disease. The programme is led by Arunkumar Krishnasamy, a senior robotic cardiac surgeon, and supported by a multidisciplinary team of anaesthesiologists, perfusionists, and critical care specialists. The development signals growth in robotic cardiac care in India.

Kauvery Hospital launches robotic beating‑heart CABG
Uses 4th‑gen da Vinci system
Minimally invasive; no heart stopping or CPB
Led by Arunkumar Krishnasamy
Aims to shorten recovery and reduce trauma

UAE’s Electric Seagliders Could Cut Travel Time Between Abu Dhabi and Dubai

Abu Dhabi, 12 February 2026 — The UAE is advancing electric seagliders to reduce travel time between coastal cities. The concept combines high‑speed marine and aircraft technology with zero emissions. Prototypes are under development through government partnerships and private sector investment. If scaled, the seagliders could transform water travel and logistics in coastal zones, offering rapid, low‑pollution connections. Officials note the project aligns with national goals for sustainable transport and regional connectivity, though regulatory, safety, and infrastructure hurdles must be addressed before commercial deployment.

Electric seagliders under development
Potential Abu Dhabi–Dubai connection in minutes
Zero-emission, hybrid marine‑air tech
Public‑private partnerships drive R&D
Regulatory and safety hurdles remain

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