Intel India and NIELIT Launch Agentic AI Skilling Programme
In September 2026, Intel India and the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), under MeitY, launched the Agentic AI Skilling Programme. The initiative trains Indian youth to work with agentic AI systems capable of reasoning, planning, and independent task execution. A National Leadership Dialogue in New Delhi focused on preparing the future workforce for the Agentic AI era. The collaboration aligns with India’s broader push to develop AI capabilities and digital economy skills, strengthening private-sector partnership for technology upskilling and national digital infrastructure.
Partners: Intel India and NIELIT (MeitY).
Programme: Agentic AI Skilling (training in autonomous AI systems).
Event: National Leadership Dialogue in New Delhi.
Goal: prepare youth for agentic AI era.
Context: supports India’s AI and digital economy strategy.
ISRO Launches GSLV-F17 Carrying EOS-05 Satellite
ISRO launched the GSLV-F17 rocket on 4 September 2026 at 02:55 IST from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, carrying EOS-05 (GISAT-1A). The mission aims to place the GEO-imaging satellite into geostationary orbit, enabling continuous Earth observation over the Indian subcontinent for disaster monitoring and border surveillance. This marks a milestone following the EOS-03 failure in 2021. Mission control reported successful injection into orbit and a planned orbital-raising phase in subsequent days. The launch demonstrates India’s advancing capabilities in space, with ongoing collaboration between ISRO and its international partners.
Launch date/time: 4 September 2026, 02:55 IST.
Vehicle: GSLV-F17; Payload: EOS-05 (GISAT-1A).
Orbit: Geostationary; purpose: persistent imaging of the subcontinent.
Status: mission success reported; further orbital-raising planned.
BIO-NIVESH Platform Launched to Support Biotechnology Startups
On 3 September 2026, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh launched BIO-NIVESH, a platform to connect biotechnology startups with investors. The initiative seeks to increase private investment in scalable biotechnology innovations and strengthen India’s biotech ecosystem. The platform facilitates two-way engagement, helping startups access regulatory, development, and market insights. The launch occurred during a roundtable in New Delhi with startups and investors and aligns with government efforts to accelerate biotech innovation, commercialisation, and scale-up in health, agriculture, and environment sectors.
Launch date: 3 September 2026.
Purpose: connect biotech startups with private capital.
Location: New Delhi; roundtable with stakeholders.
Impact: aims to boost investment and scaling of biotech innovations.
Apollyon Dynamics, a defence technology startup incubated at BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus, announced India’s fastest multirotor UAV. The Ahuti Mk II achieved a certified speed of 498 km/h, setting a national record for indigenous electric interceptor drones. The company described the craft as compact and agile, suitable for rapid reconnaissance and intercept missions. The achievement underscores India’s growing capabilities in domestic defence technology and electronics manufacturing. The India Book of Records recognised the project in September 2026, with expectations that such advances will spur further research in high-speed unmanned systems, battery chemistry and aerodynamics, influencing future procurement and security strategies.
Ahuti Mk II speed: 498 km/h
Developed by Apollyon Dynamics at BITS Pilani Hyderabad
Indigenous electric interceptor drone
Recognised by India Book of Records
Advances in defence tech, batteries and aerodynamics
Potential impact on future procurement and security
Sep 02, 2026
IIT Madras, UNESCO MGIEP Sign AI Learning Partnership
In September 2026, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (UNESCO MGIEP) signed a cooperation agreement to advance artificial intelligence in learning. The partnership aims to combine UNESCO MGIEP’s expertise in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) with IIT Madras’ strengths in AI, Extended Reality (XR), and game design to create next-generation educational tools. The collaboration seeks to develop immersive content, support inclusive pedagogy, and explore ethical frameworks for AI in classrooms, with potential applications in science, technology, and social-emotional development.
Institutions: IIT Madras and UNESCO MGIEP.
Focus: AI learning, immersive technologies, SEL integration.
Areas: AI, XR, game design; education for peace and sustainability.
Goal: innovative, inclusive learning tools in schools.
Timeline: partnership activated in September 2026.
Bhashini Shilpi Developer Session Held in Nepal
The Digital India BHASHINI Division organized a Shilpi developer session at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu, Nepal, in August 2026. Under the aegis of the Digital India Corporation and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the event showcased India's work on language-based artificial intelligence and multilingual digital services. The session highlighted efforts to promote inclusive digital technology across languages and improve access to public services. Delegates discussed scalable language models, data accessibility, and collaborations with partner institutions to advance multilingual AI solutions for governance and citizen engagement. The meeting reinforced India’s commitment to bridging linguistic gaps through technology.
Location: Embassy of India, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Organisers: Digital India BHASHINI Division, Digital India Corporation, MeitY.
Focus: language-based AI solutions and multilingual digital services.
Aim: promote inclusive digital technology across Indian languages.
Key takeaway: progress in translation, transliteration and NLP for governance.
Sep 01, 2026
Green Forge Complex inaugurated at BRIC-NABI Mohali to study GM crops under controlled conditions
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Green Forge Complex at BRIC-NABI, Mohali, in August 2026. The first-of-its-kind research facility focuses on genetically modified crops under tightly controlled environmental conditions. Equipped with advanced simulation chambers, the complex allows researchers to regulate light, humidity, and temperature to observe crop responses in different environments. The aim is to assess the suitability of GM crops for diverse Indian geographies before field trials, supporting risk assessments and decision making. Scientists will study traits such as drought tolerance and pest resistance, enabling data-driven cultivation strategies. The project aligns with BRIC-NABI’s mandate to strengthen bioeconomy research and sustainable agriculture in India.
Inaugurated by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh in August 2026.
Located at BRIC-NABI, Mohali; first-of-its-kind GM crop research facility.
Features simulation chambers to control light, humidity, and temperature.
Aims to assess GM crop suitability for India’s diverse geographies before field trials.
Supports risk assessments and data-driven regulatory decisions.
Anticipated to strengthen bioeconomy research and sustainable agriculture in India.
Aug 31, 2026
Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launches from Florida
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope launched from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket. The mission marks a major advance in astronomy, enabling wide-field infrared observations to study dark energy, exoplanets, and the structure of the universe. Kennedy Space Center has hosted historic missions including Apollo and Space Shuttle programs, and the Roman telescope benefits from this legacy of complex, high-profile launches. Operators emphasised precision instrumentation, extended mission life, and collaboration with international partners to maximize scientific return.
Roman Space Telescope launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.
Rides on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket.
Aims to study dark energy, exoplanets, and cosmic structure.
Space Center’s historic role in U.S. and global space missions.
Emphasis on international collaboration and advanced instruments.