General Awareness

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - April 2026

Apr 2026

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

May 10, 2026

IndiaAI and ICMR Sign MoU to Strengthen AI-Driven Healthcare

IndiaAI, the government’s flagship Artificial Intelligence initiative under MeitY, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to promote AI-based healthcare innovation. The partnership aims to combine IndiaAI’s digital infrastructure with ICMR’s biomedical and public health research expertise to develop ethical, scalable AI health solutions for India. The agreement focuses on expanding access to healthcare data, increasing computing capacity, and encouraging AI research for public health challenges. The collaboration highlights India’s growing role in responsible AI governance for healthcare, with IndiaAI providing subsidised GPU‑based computing resources to ICMR as part of the plan.

IndiaAI and ICMR sign MoU to advance AI healthcare innovation.
Partnership leverages AI infrastructure and biomedical research strength.
Emphasis on ethical, scalable AI healthcare solutions.
Aims to improve data access and computing capacity for research.
Highlights responsible AI governance in healthcare.
IndiaAI to supply subsidised GPU-based computing to ICMR.

India to Host First International Ophthalmology Research Conference in New Delhi

India will host its first International Ophthalmology Research Conference in New Delhi, marking a milestone in military-civil eye-care collaboration. The Department of Ophthalmology at Army Hospital (Research & Referral), New Delhi, with the All-India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS), will host AIOS-AFOU 2026 at the Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantonment, on 9–10 May 2026. The two-day event will be inaugurated by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth, with attendance from the Chief of Defence Staff, the three Service Chiefs, and the Defence Secretary, underscoring its Tri-service character. About 200 ophthalmologists from across India and 100 faculty from AIIMS, PGI Chandigarh, LV Prasad Eye Institute, Sankara Netralaya, and Aravind Eye Care System will attend. Notable international participants include Prof Harminder Singh Dua (University of Nottingham) and Dr Colin Siang Hui Tan (Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore).

Event named AIOS-AFOU 2026 to be held at Manekshaw Centre, 9–10 May 2026.
Inauguration by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth; Tri-service attendance planned.
Approximately 200 ophthalmologists from across India expected.
About 100 faculty from major institutes to participate.
International participants include Prof Harminder Singh Dua and Dr Colin Siang Hui Tan.
Conference covers latest advances across ophthalmology subspecialties.

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

June GK, May GK, April GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services And Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26